Shibu Soren Awarded Padma Bhushan Posthumously for Public Affairs Contribution

Veteran tribal leader, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder and former Jharkhand chief minister Shibu Soren was posthumously conferred the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in recognition of his contribution to public affairs.

President Droupadi Murmu presented the award to Soren’s wife, Rupi Soren, during the second Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among the dignitaries present at the ceremony.

Dignitaries Witness Emotional Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Family members received the honour on behalf of the veteran leader, popularly known as “Dishom Guru”. Among those present were Gandey MLA Kalpana Soren, wife of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, and other members of the Soren family.

The ceremony turned emotional as the family accepted one of the country’s highest civilian honours in memory of the late JMM patriarch, who passed away on August 4, 2025, at the age of 81.

One of the most influential figures in Jharkhand’s political history, Shibu Soren played a pivotal role in the movement for a separate Jharkhand state and spent decades championing the cause of tribal rights, social justice and regional identity.

From Nemra to Ranchi: The Rise of Jharkhand’s ‘Dishom Guru’

Born on January 11, 1944, in Nemra village of present-day Ramgarh district, Soren’s political and social activism was shaped by personal tragedy. After his father was killed by moneylenders, he launched a movement against exploitation, land grabbing and social injustice, mobilising tribal and rural communities to fight for their rights.

The protection of jal, jungle and zameen (water, forests and land) remained central to his public life. His campaigns for de-addiction, education and social awareness brought him widespread support among tribal and indigenous communities. For nearly four decades, he remained the face of the Jharkhand movement and emerged as one of its foremost leaders.

Soren served as Jharkhand’s chief minister on three occasions and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Dumka eight times. He also served as a Rajya Sabha member and held ministerial responsibilities in the Union government.

While welcoming the Padma Bhushan honour, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha renewed its demand that Soren be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.

JMM General Secretary Vinod Pandey said Soren’s life and contributions merited the country’s highest recognition. “Guruji was a true son of the Indian soil who gave a voice to the marginalised tribal community in the national mainstream. His legacy will remain an indelible chapter not only in Jharkhand but also in the struggle for social justice across the country,” Pandey said.

Among the other recipients of the Padma Bhushan this year were acclaimed Malayalam actor Mammootty and playback singer Alka Yagnik.

The Padma Awards for 2026 comprised 131 recipients, including five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awardees. While 65 awardees were honoured during the first Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 27, the remaining 66 recipients received their awards during the second ceremony on June 23.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Aditya Sahu stated that the honour, conferred by President Murmu, is a national recognition of Shibu Soren’s lifelong struggle, public service, commitment to protecting tribal rights, and dedication to social justice. Sahu emphasised that Shibu Soren was not merely a leader of a family or a particular community but a leader of the entire state of Jharkhand.

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