JMM Holds Tribute Meet at Jamshedpur Office for Late Founder
Key Points:
- JMM workers mark Padma Bhushan honour for late Shibu Soren
- District chief Victor Soren leads tribute meeting in Jamshedpur
- Party demands Bharat Ratna for Jharkhand’s founding leader
JAMSHEDPUR – Workers of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha gathered in Jamshedpur on Wednesday to celebrate the Padma Bhushan conferred on the late Shibu Soren by the central government.
The Padma Bhushan honour was announced for the former Jharkhand chief minister, who is widely regarded as the architect of the state’s formation. District JMM president Victor Soren presided over a tribute meeting at the party’s public relations office in the city.
Party leaders and workers offered floral tributes before a portrait of the late leader. They also recalled his contributions to the tribal and indigenous movement in the region.
Sweets were distributed among workers present at the gathering to mark the occasion. Soren had previously been honoured when President Droupadi Murmu posthumously awarded him the Padma Bhushan earlier this year.
Addressing the gathering, Victor Soren said the late leader had fought throughout his life for the formation of Jharkhand. He added that Soren had also worked for the rights of the tribal and indigenous communities of the state.
Victor Soren said the central government’s recognition was a matter of pride for the entire state. He expressed gratitude to the government on behalf of the party.
The JMM leader said the honour reflected the sentiments of the people of Jharkhand. He further demanded that the late leader also be conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award, in view of his historic contributions.
The demand echoes an earlier appeal made by JMM activists, who had sought the Bharat Ratna for the late leader following the Padma Bhushan announcement in January. Soren, popularly known as Dishom Guru among supporters, died in August last year after a prolonged illness.
His son and current chief minister Hemant Soren has repeatedly paid tribute to his father at public events since his death. The Padma Bhushan recognition was announced ahead of Republic Day among a list of 131 personalities honoured this year.
A large number of JMM workers and office-bearers attended Wednesday’s meeting in Jamshedpur. All present pledged to carry forward the leader’s ideals and struggles.
During the event, Jugsalai MLA Mangal Kalindi also addressed the gathering. He said the honour was a matter of respect for the people of Jharkhand.
Kalindi recently laid the foundation stone for a community hall in the constituency. Soren, who died in August 2025, had also served as a Union minister during his political career.
