harkhand Mourns: The Last Journey of Shibu Soren, Architect of a State and Voice of Its People

By [Your Name] – Ranchi, July 2024

On a humid July evening, the streets of Ranchi were transformed into an ocean of grief and remembrance. Jharkhand, a state carved out of struggle and hope, was united by loss. Shibu Soren—fondly known as “Guruji,” the architect of Jharkhand’s statehood, champion of tribal rights, and one of India’s most enduring political figures—was gone. His passing at 81 after a prolonged illness ended an extraordinary era, plunging the region and the wider nation into mourning.

A State in Mourning

When news broke on Monday that Shibu Soren had passed away at Sir Gangaram Hospital in New Delhi, the atmosphere in Jharkhand changed instantly. Markets went silent. Offices closed early. Old men in villages put up Soren’s photograph against the soft glow of oil lamps. In Ranchi, thousands began streaming towards Morabadi, the site of Soren’s residence, forming formidable lines even before his mortal remains arrived later that evening.

By dusk, the city had transformed. Streets were adorned with banners bearing Shibu Soren’s image, flanked by his famous bow and arrow symbol—the insignia of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). In scenes of raw emotion, party workers, leaders, students, daily wage earners, and villagers stood shoulder-to-shoulder in a communal expression of loss. “It feels as if we have lost a father,” said Prakash Munda, a JMM youth worker. “He was not just our leader but the very soul of this land.”

The Homecoming: Final Farewell at Morabadi

Soren’s body was flown from New Delhi and brought directly to his Morabadi residence in Ranchi under heavy security and amidst unrelenting rain. There, his family—including son and Chief Minister Hemant Soren, younger son Basant Soren, and several grandchildren—performed traditional rites. The family shouldered his casket, symbolizing the transfer of an almost mythic legacy from generation to generation.

His remains were draped first with the revered JMM flag and then the Indian tricolor, signifying not only his loyalty to his movement but his duty to the nation. Inside the family compound, floors were blanketed with petals and candles, with a steady stream of leaders—regardless of political affiliation—filing in to pay last respects.

Across the Aisle: Rivals United in Respect

Political adversaries put aside their differences in this hour of loss. Former Chief Ministers Babulal Marandi, Raghubar Das, and Madhu Koda queued up beside Congress and BJP leaders, all forced to acknowledge the scale of Soren’s contributions to regional and national politics.

Aman Sharma, a BJP spokesperson, said, “Jharkhand as a state would perhaps not exist today if not for the sacrifices of Shibu Soren. He showed us what persistent, grassroots leadership really means.”

Leaders from Delhi paid homage—President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi all sent messages noting Soren’s lifelong commitment to justice. “Shibu Soren’s legacy is written into the DNA of Jharkhand and of India’s democracy,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

Memories Etched in History: Songs, Stories, and Struggles

At the Morabadi residence, elders began to share stories of Soren’s long struggle for statehood—how, from his humble beginnings in Nemra village, Soren led protests, endured jail time, and built a party from scratch. His mission: land for the landless, dignity for adivasis, and justice for the marginalized. His arrest during the Emergency years only solidified his reputation for courage.

Songs from the early days of the Jharkhand movement echoed through the grounds. Some verses remembered Soren leading barefoot marches across tribal villages; others recalled tense negotiations with New Delhi when statehood was far from assured.

Students and youth leaders listened in awe. “What he achieved is now written in textbooks,” said Shruti Minz, a Ranchi University student, “but listening to these memories, he becomes real to us—not just a historic figure, but a neighbor, a friend, a guide.”

An Open House for All

As Monday evening stretched into night, the Soren family made the moment even more meaningful—they opened their home to all. Ordinary citizens, supporters, and even critics were welcomed to offer flowers, prayers, and even silent tears. The line of mourners snaked far beyond the gates, sometimes stretching for a kilometer along Ranchi’s main roads.

Throughout the night and well into Tuesday morning, the casket remained at Morabadi for the public. Officials later estimated over 50,000 passed by in less than 24 hours—a testament to Soren’s unmatched reach.

Security and Solidarity

Jharkhand’s state government and police worked seamlessly to ensure order. Security was tight, but unobtrusive. “Shibu Soren belonged to the people, so we made sure no barrier could come between them and their leader,” said Ranchi’s Superintendent of Police.

State and civic offices closed for the day. Schools organized special assemblies and prayers; many small towns declared holidays. Local radio and TV aired tributes and played songs from Soren’s rallies, while newspapers distributed commemorative issues that sold out within hours.

The Final Journey to Nemra

On Tuesday, Soren’s remains were taken to his ancestral village, Nemra, for cremation with full state honors. Thousands followed the funeral cortege, many on foot, some carrying mementoes like old campaign leaflets or handwritten letters. Tribal drums and songs accompanied the procession.

At Nemra, the rituals were conducted in the traditional way, with tribal elders leading prayers and recounting how Soren’s spirit would continue to guide the land. The State government announced three days of mourning and a statue for the late leader at Morabadi.

Reflections: A Legacy of Struggle and Hope

It is difficult to capture Shibu Soren’s full legacy within a single article. He was three times chief minister, eight times a Member of Parliament, and the principal architect of the demand that finally separated Jharkhand from Bihar in 2000. But for most, he simply embodied justice—whether agitating for land, negotiating in parliament, or visiting a village market without security.

Critics accused him of pragmatism, but few doubted his loyalty to his people’s cause. His passing leaves a leadership vacuum not just in the JMM, but in the entire eastern region’s tribal politics. “People trust Guruji because he never failed to return to the people—no matter the circumstance,” Hemant Soren said in his public address. “Now it is our duty to ensure his struggle was not in vain.”

The Road Ahead

As the formal rituals faded on Tuesday evening, residents of Ranchi and beyond were left to consider the future. Will Jharkhand find another leader of Soren’s stature? Can the spirit of solidarity last beyond these days of mourning?

For now, the answer is found in the faces of the thousands who stood together under monsoon skies, singing, weeping, and vowing never to forget the man who—in life and in death—united them in common purpose and pride. Guruji’s final lesson may be the most important one: history is made not only by the powerful, but by the steadfast and the hopeful.

Shibu Soren’s last journey was not only a farewell, but a call to carry forward his mission—one epitomized by courage, resilience, and a love for the people that never dimmed. As dusk settles over Jharkhand, his story becomes the state’s story—one of struggle, solidarity, and the enduring hope for a better tomorrow.