Ex-Jharkhand CM and JMM founder Shibu Soren no more

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha JMM founder Shibu Soren the veteran tribal leader who played a key role in Jharkhands creation breathed his last on MondayShibu Soren 81 who was undergoing treatment at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi for over a month for kidneyrelated problems passed away on Monday at 856 amldquoRespected Dishom Guruji has left us all I have become lsquoshunyarsquo zero todayrdquo son Hemant Soren posted on XHis mortal remains reached state capital Ranchi on Monday evening with thousands of people waiting outside the airport and lining the streets to pay their final respects to the iconic leader His body will be taken to his native village in Ramgarh district on Tuesday and where his last rites will be performedThe Jharkhand Assembly was adjourned sine die Adjourning the House Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato said ldquoDishom Guru Shibu Soren left for heavenly abode today His demise is not only an irreparable loss to Jharkhand but to the nation He was known for his fight for the poorrdquo Shibu Soren had been the leader of the JMM for the past 38 years and is recognised as the partys founding patronThreeday state mourningThe Jharkhand government declared a threeday state mourning in honour of the former chief minister The government has also cancelled all its scheduled programmes during the period a statement said All state government offices will remain closed on August 4 and 5 it said The national flag will be flown at halfmast at all buildings in Jharkhand the statement from the government saidlsquoProtective shade for tribalsrsquoIn an emotional tribute to his father Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren described the JMM founder as a protective shade for the tribals and the state and emphasised that his legacy will continue to live on Hemant broke down as party workers raised slogans hailing his father Talking to reporters he described his father as a ldquogreat manrdquo ldquoHe was like a protective shade for Jharkhand and the tribals That shade has left us today We will always remember himrdquo Hemant said adding that his legacy will live on ldquoHe was ailing He fought till the last But he passed away today We have no words to express A great man has left usrdquo he saidLeaders pay tributeNarendra Modi Prime MinisterPrime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to the mortal remains of Shibu Soren ldquoShri Shibu Soren Ji was a grassroots leader who rose through the ranks of public life with unwavering dedication to the people He was particularly passionate about empowering tribal communities the poor and downtroddenrdquoDroupadi Murmu PresidentPresident Droupadi Murmu condoled the death of Shibu Soren and said his demise was a big loss in the space of social justice ldquoThe demise of Shri Shibu Soren Ji is a big loss in the space of social justice He championed the cause of tribal identity and the formation of the state of Jharkhandrdquo The President said that besides his work at the grassroots Soren also contributed as the chief minister of JharkhandGadkari Union MinisterUnion Minister Nitin Gadkari said on X ldquoDeeply saddened by the passing of Shri Shibu Soren Ji a prominent face in Indian politics who devoted his life to uplifting the marginalised and shaping Jharkhandrsquos identity His legacy will continue to inspire generations My heartfelt condolences to his familyrdquoSantosh Gangwar Jharkhand GovernorJharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar and leaders cutting across party lines also condoled the death of the JMM patriarch ldquoThe demise of former chief minister and Rajya Sabha MP Dishom Guru Shibu Soren ji is extremely sad and painful He was a strong voice of tribal identity and rights His contribution to society will remain unforgettable My deepest condolences to the bereaved familyrdquo Gangwar posted on XAmit Shah Home MinisterIn a post on X Union Home Minister Amit Shah said ldquoHe struggled for decades for the rights and empowerment of the tribal community in Jharkhand With his simple personality and humble nature he connected with the massesrdquoRahul Gandhi LoPCongress leader Rahul Gandhi posted on X saying ldquoA strong voice of the tribal society Soren ji fought for their rights and interests throughout his life His role in the creation of Jharkhand will always be rememberedrdquoMamata Banerjee WB CMExpressing grief over Shibu Sorenrsquos death West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said a chapter of Jharkhandrsquos history came to an endMallikarjun Kharge Congress ChiefldquoHe fought all his life for a separate Jharkhand state and for the rights of its people to water forest land and for the protection of tribal culturerdquoChampai Soren former chief ministerFormer chief minister Champai Soren who was a close aide of Shibu Soren said ldquoMay Marang Buru give peace to the departed soul I remember the moments spent with you during the Jharkhand movement from the mountains forests and remote villages to the Vidhan Sabhardquo Congress MP Pradeep Yadav said that the dream of a separate Jharkhand was realised only because of Shibu Sorenrsquos struggle