Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday, 5 August 2025 unveiled a 14-foot statue of his late father and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder Shibu Soren at Nemra village in Ramgarh district, marking one year since the iconic tribal leader's passing. Thousands of people from across the state converged at Soren's ancestral village to pay tribute, turning the commemorative event into one of the largest public gatherings in the region this year.

The Statue and Development Projects

The 14-foot bronze statue installed at Nemra was the centrepiece of a day-long programme. Chief Minister Hemant Soren also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth ₹102.5 crore during the event, signalling the government's intent to link the commemoration with tangible progress for the region.

Soren became visibly emotional while addressing the gathering, describing the first death anniversary as a day of profound grief — not just for the Soren family but for the entire state. He said the void left by 'Dishom Guru' — the title of reverence by which Shibu Soren was widely known — could never be filled.

Tributes and Legacy

Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister recalled that Shibu Soren had devoted his life to protecting the rights, identity, and livelihoods of tribal communities, particularly through the movement to safeguard 'jal, jungle aur zameen' — water, forests, and land. He said the late leader's memories and lifelong struggle would continue to inspire generations to come.

Hemant Soren noted that the statue at Nemra would serve as a lasting link between younger generations and the history of Jharkhand's long fight for justice and a separate state. He urged today's youth to understand the hardships and exploitation endured by people in the region even after Independence, and to honour the sacrifices of their forefathers.

A Personal Moment: Grandfather's Memorial

The most emotional passage of the Chief Minister's address came when he referenced the nearby memorial of his grandfather, Sobran Manjhi, who he said was killed by anti-social elements before Hemant Soren was born. He drew a parallel, warning that similar divisive forces still exist in society today.

Without naming any individual or organisation, Soren said certain forces were attempting to fracture social unity, but stressed that Jharkhand's greatest strength had always been its collective solidarity. He called for unity, mutual respect, and social harmony as the only effective response to such threats.

Jharkhand Movement and the Road Ahead

The Chief Minister paid homage to all martyrs of the Jharkhand movement, crediting Shibu Soren and other stalwarts for turning the dream of a separate state into reality. He said the responsibility of the present generation was to carry that legacy forward by accelerating development and ensuring that the benefits of welfare schemes reached every citizen without exception.

Soren reiterated his government's commitment to inclusive growth and public participation in governance. With the state's tribal identity and land rights remaining politically sensitive, Tuesday's commemoration also carried clear undertones of the broader political landscape ahead of future electoral cycles.