Hemant Soren (PTI image)
NEW DELHI: Jharkhand chief ministerHemant Soren grew emotional while expressing his views on the demand to confer the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, on his father and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) supremo Shibu Soren. “It is the emotion of the House. The members presented the public sentiment in the House. The House will consider,” Soren said. On Thursday, the ruling JMM urged the chief minister to introduce and pass a proposal for conferring the Bharat Ratna on Shibu Soren.Along with other leaders, JMM general secretary Vinod Pandey, in a formal statement issued on behalf of the party, urged the state government to pass a resolution in the Assembly recommending Bharat Ratna for Shibu Soren and forward it to the Centre.”We urge the state govt to pass a proposal for Bharat Ratna to late Guruji and send it to the central govt,” Pandey said.”The govt should ensure that the voice of the assembly, united in respect for Guruji, must reach Delhi. Shibuji has been the tallest leader of the statehood movement. His life is a remarkable example of sacrifice, struggle, and service. He led public movements against alcoholism and the moneylending system, connected the tribal community with education and social awareness, and brought the movement for a separate Jharkhand state to a decisive point. He deserve Bharat Ratna,” he added.Shibu Soren, popularly known as Dishom Guru, is regarded as a prominent figure in Indian tribal politics and played a key role in the Jharkhand statehood movement. A three-time Chief Minister and former Union Minister, he was at the forefront of tribal rights and social justice struggles in the region.He was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi in the last week of June with a kidney-related ailment and passed away on August 4 at the age of 81. On the same day, the ongoing state Assembly monsoon session was suspended abruptly following his demise. The current session will now run until October 28.
