"Irreparable loss to country's politics, tribal movement": Arvind Kejriwal mourns Shibu Soren's demise

New Delhi [India], August 4 (ANI): Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday condoled the death of former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and leader of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Shibu Soren. He remembered the leader as "the soul of Jharkhand and the tribal community."
"The news of the passing of the revered Dishom Guru Shri Shibu Soren Ji is deeply painful.Dishom Guru Shri Shibu Soren Ji was not only a politician but also the soul of Jharkhand and the tribal community," Kejriwal said in a post on X.
"He struggled throughout his life for tribal rights, water-forest-land, and constitutional justice. His passing marks the end of an era. His departure is an irreparable loss to the country's politics and the tribal movement. May God grant the departed soul a place at His divine feet and give Shri Hemant Soren Ji and all family members the strength to bear this sorrow," he said.
Shibu Soren passed away early today after a prolonged illness at the age of 81 in New Delhi.
Jharkhand Chief Minister and his son Hemant Soren confirmed the news in a post on X. "Respected Dishom Guruji has left us all. Today, I am devastated," Hemant Soren said.
Shibu Soren led the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha for 38 years and is known as the founding patron of the party. He was the third Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Over a four-decade career in politics, Soren was elected to the Lok Sabha eight times and served as a Rajya Sabha MP for two terms.
Jharkhand Minister Radhakrishna Kishore said that the entire state of Jharkhand is in sorrow after the news of the demise.
"This is extremely sad. The voice of the state has fallen silent. The entire state is sorrowful. There is mourning across the country," Kishore reporters in Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mourned the demise.
PM Modi remembered Shibu Soren's work for empowering tribal communities and the poor.
Sharing an X post, PM Modi wrote, "Shri 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 downtrodden. Pained by his passing away."
The Prime Minister spoke to Shibu Soren's son and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, and expressed condolences.
"My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Spoke to Jharkhand CM Shri Hemant Soren Ji and expressed condolences. Om Shanti," the X post read. (ANI)