CM Hemant Soren condoles death of Ajay Tirki's father
Synopsis
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren condoled the death of Mangra Urav, also known as Kripal Tirki, father of Central Sarna Committee chairman Ajay Tirki, invoking the Sarna deity Marang Buru in his tribute on August 3, 2026.
Key Takeaways
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren expressed condolences on August 3, 2026 over the death of Mangra Urav , alias Kripal Tirki .
The deceased was the father of Ajay Tirki , chairman of the Central Sarna Committee .
Soren invoked Marang Buru , the supreme deity of the Sarna faith, in his condolence message.
The Central Sarna Committee advocates recognition of Sarna as a separate religion for Adivasi groups in Jharkhand and neighbouring states.
The gesture reflects the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha 's sustained emphasis on Adivasi cultural and religious identity.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday, August 3, 2026, offered his condolences on the passing of Mangra Urav — also known as Kripal Tirki — father of Central Sarna Committee chairman Ajay Tirki.
Posting in Hindi on X, the Chief Minister wrote: 'Marang Buru diwangat aatma ko shanti pradan kar shokakul parivaarjanon ko dukh ki yeh vikat ghadi sahan karne ki shakti de' — invoking Marang Buru, the supreme deity in Sarna faith, and praying that the bereaved family be granted the strength to bear this profound grief.
Ajay Tirki leads the Central Sarna Committee, a prominent body advocating the formal recognition of Sarna as a distinct religion for Adivasi communities across Jharkhand and neighbouring states. The Sarna identity question — centred on whether tribal communities should be enumerated separately in the national census rather than subsumed under broader religious categories — has been a defining political and cultural issue in the region.
For the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, of which Soren is executive president, public solidarity with tribal religious figures and their families is a consistent thread. The party has long positioned itself as the primary political voice of Adivasi cultural and religious rights, making condolences such as this one both a personal gesture and a signal of institutional commitment to that community.
Point of View
Framed through the invocation of Marang Buru, is more than personal courtesy — it signals the JMM's deliberate alignment with Sarna religious identity at a time when the Adivasi community's demand for a separate census code remains politically live. By publicly acknowledging the family of the Central Sarna Committee's chairman, Soren reinforces the party's role as custodian of tribal cultural rights in Jharkhand. Such gestures, routine in JMM's political communication, also serve to consolidate the party's base among Sarna adherents ahead of any future electoral cycle.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Mangra Urav?
Mangra Urav, also known as Kripal Tirki, was the father of Central Sarna Committee chairman Ajay Tirki. His death prompted Chief Minister Hemant Soren's condolence message on August 3, 2026.
What is the Central Sarna Committee?
The Central Sarna Committee is a body that advocates for the formal recognition of Sarna as a distinct religion for Adivasi communities, particularly seeking a separate religious code in India's national census.
What is Marang Buru in Sarna faith?
Marang Buru is regarded as the supreme deity in the Sarna belief system, which is practised by many Adivasi communities across Jharkhand and eastern India.
Why did Hemant Soren issue this condolence?
Soren issued the condolence as a mark of respect for the family of Ajay Tirki, a prominent tribal religious figure, consistent with the JMM's long-standing emphasis on solidarity with Adivasi cultural and religious communities.
