Shibu Soren, former Jharkhand Chief Minister and JMM founder, dies

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) patriarch and former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Shibu Soren, has passed away at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi. Known as 'Guruji' to his followers, Soren was a prominent tribal leader who spearheaded the movement for the creation of a separate Jharkhand state. He was admitted to the hospital in the last week of June for a regular medical check-up. His son and current Jharkhand Chief Minister, Hemant Soren, confirmed the news. Following the news, Jharkhand Minister Irfan Ansari stated, "This loss is very big for Jharkhand. He gave us Jharkhand, and it is because of him that we survived." Leaders from various opposition parties had visited the Soren family at the hospital to offer their support.