Jharkhand’s political landscape buzzes with reactions to the posthumous Padma Bhushan for Shibu Soren, the towering figure known as Dishom Guru. The third-highest civilian award acknowledges his pioneering efforts in tribal rights, yet JMM leaders decry it as insufficient, advocating fervently for the Bharat Ratna to truly encapsulate his stature.
Soren’s life was a saga of defiance. He ignited movements against exploitative practices in the 1980s, abolishing alcohol’s grip on communities and dismantling the mahajani debt trap. As the Jharkhand movement’s linchpin, his vision birthed a state, and his tenures as Chief Minister navigated coalitions and crises with tribal interests at the fore.
Celebrating the decision, BJP’s Pratul Shahdeo remarked, ‘This is a proud moment. Shibu Soren nationalized the tribal struggle for self-respect, water, forests, and land. The Padma Bhushan signals the value of his enduring legacy.’ It positions Soren as a national icon of indigenous resilience.
JMM’s Manoj Pandey countered sharply: ‘Dishom Guru’s unparalleled sacrifice and leadership for societal progress deserve the Bharat Ratna. Despite our repeated appeals, settling for less dishonors his memory.’ This call resonates across Jharkhand, where Soren is venerated as a guru and guardian.
The award’s timing, ahead of national honors, amplifies tribal representation debates. Shibu Soren’s odyssey inspires ongoing fights for justice, reminding policymakers that true homage elevates icons to their rightful pantheon.