Dishom Guru Shibu Soren conferred Padma Bhushan posthumously

Pioneer News Service
Ranchi

Veteran tribal leader and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren was posthumously conferred the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in the field of Public Affairs in New Delhi on Tuesday. President Droupadi Murmu presented the honor at the Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, with his wife Rupi Soren accepting the award on his behalf.

President Murmu stepped down from the stage to present the award to Rupi Soren who attended the ceremony in a wheelchair. Late Shibu Soren daughter in law and chief minister Hemant Soren’s wife Kalpana Soren was also present in the ceremony.

Shibu Soren, popularly known as ‘Dishom Guru’, passed away on August 18, 2025, at the age of 81 after a prolonged illness. His death marked the end of an era in Jharkhand politics, where he remained one of the most influential and respected mass leaders for over five decades.

Shibu Soren is widely regarded as one of the principal architects of the movement for the creation of Jharkhand. Through decades of political mobilisation, grassroots campaigns and sustained agitation, he helped transform the demand for a separate tribal-dominated state into a powerful people’s movement. His efforts played a crucial role in the eventual formation of Jharkhand on November 15, 2000.

The announcement was made on the eve of Republic Day this year. The central government announced the Padma Bhushan award for Shibu Soren on the eve of Republic Day this year. However, demands for the Bharat Ratna have been raised from time to time. A formal resolution was even passed in the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly in this connection.

Considered one of Jharkhand’s most influential tribal leaders, Shibu Soren was recognized not only as a politician but also as a social reformer. He led a major movement against money lending and played a key role in organizing the tribal community. Popularly known as “Guruji,” Shibu Soren launched the “Paddy Harvesting Movement” to raise awareness among tribals. He also made significant efforts towards social change through the drug de-addiction campaign.

The people of Jharkhand have an emotional connection with Shibu Soren, and for this reason he is known as the Dishom Guru. Shibu Soren entered public life by fighting against money lenders and the money lending system. He operated night schools to educate tribal people and campaigned against prohibition. He was not only a politician but also a social reformer.