Admin
14 July 2024
With the unshaved beard grown during the days in prison at Birsa Munda Central Jail, Ranchi,, Jharkhand's Chief Minister Hemant Soren seems to have assumed the halo of a political martyr, the effect of which he and his opponents appear to understand well. CM Hemant Soren’s beard can act as a 'lethal' weapon against the BJP in Jharkhand in the campaign for the forthcoming assembly elections expected to be held before the year 2024 runs out. Throughout his past, from his days as a student to chief ministership of the state for the two terms, Hemant Soren has only sported a mustache which had become a trademark look on his face. However, Hemant's world changed on January 31, 2024. On this date, the Enforcement Directorate arrested him on charges of money - laundering connected with the alleged land scam. After taking him into custody for interrogations, he was sent to jail. During almost five months of jail, Hemant is believed not to have shaved. As a result, his usual look with a moustache graduated to sporting also the greying beard- often taken in many circles as a sign of respectability,maturity and even masculinity. Indeed, for him it also works to portray the image of a sufferer due to the political victimhood. After all, in politics very often perception matters ahead of arguable logic. Incidentally, his father Shibu Soren, founder of the JMM and Rajya Sabha Member, had always kept a flowing beard throughout his life. Historically, the beard has meant a great deal to many politicians. In Celtic tribes, for example, the beard was so revered that Otto the Great swore by his beard whenever he had something of great seriousness and importance to say. If men were to have to swear on their facial beard today, the world might be a much more honest and trustworthy place, says Rubin Manjhi a tribal farmer. Preferring not to clean-shave the beard to return to his face with a moustache alone, the CM Hemant Soren is also seen to deliver a message to the people as a ‘revolutionary’ like his father Shibu Soren who had rebelled against money lenders and led a movement for the creation of Jharkhand state. Next, the purported message connected with Hemant's beard was sought to be decoded by a JMM supporter Krishna Oraon, who has made a frame showing him with his bearded face. Oraon said, his beard echoes across the state what Hemant Soren has been reiterating in public- “I was sent to jail by the BJP on false charges to stop me do work for the development of people.” In any case, Hemant Soren who is an Adivasi, claims to be secular and his party JMM’s support primarily comprises those from Adivasis, Christians and Muslims. Across many communities and religions, a beard has its own positive symbol and connotation, and is often sported by males. Against the above backdrop, the opposition BJP is aware of the fact that the ruling JMM-led INDIA allies- Congress, RJD and Left parties- will play the “ victim card” ( i.e., Hemant Soren was deliberately sent to jail by BJP on fabricated charges) during the campaign for the forthcoming assembly polls. This can make CM Soren hit the 'battle' ground aggressively by continuing with his bearded face ahead of the Assembly polls in 2024. “Many veteran freedom fighters had spent time inside the jail premises by writing books. Our leader has grown beard in his face to tell people that since he comes from a family of Adivasis, he was sent to jail on fabricated allegations”, says a JMM leader, echoing sentiments of a dozen Adivasis to whom JharkhandStateNews.com talked to ascertain their opinion.
With the unshaved beard grown during the days in prison at Birsa Munda Central Jail, Ranchi,, Jharkhand's Chief Minister Hemant Soren seems to have assumed the halo of a political martyr, the effect of which he and his opponents appear to understand well.
CM Hemant Soren’s beard can act as a 'lethal' weapon against the BJP in Jharkhand in the campaign for the forthcoming assembly elections expected to be held before the year 2024 runs out.
Throughout his past, from his days as a student to chief ministership of the state for the two terms, Hemant Soren has only sported a mustache which had become a trademark look on his face.
However, Hemant's world changed on January 31, 2024. On this date, the Enforcement Directorate arrested him on charges of money - laundering connected with the alleged land scam. After taking him into custody for interrogations, he was sent to jail.
During almost five months of jail, Hemant is believed not to have shaved. As a result, his usual look with a moustache graduated to sporting also the greying beard- often taken in many circles as a sign of respectability,maturity and even masculinity.
Indeed, for him it also works to portray the image of a sufferer due to the political victimhood. After all, in politics very often perception matters ahead of arguable logic.
Incidentally, his father Shibu Soren, founder of the JMM and Rajya Sabha Member, had always kept a flowing beard throughout his life.
Historically, the beard has meant a great deal to many politicians.
In Celtic tribes, for example, the beard was so revered that Otto the Great swore by his beard whenever he had something of great seriousness and importance to say.
If men were to have to swear on their facial beard today, the world might be a much more honest and trustworthy place, says Rubin Manjhi a tribal farmer.
Preferring not to clean-shave the beard to return to his face with a moustache alone, the CM Hemant Soren is also seen to deliver a message to the people as a ‘revolutionary’ like his father Shibu Soren who had rebelled against money lenders and led a movement for the creation of Jharkhand state.
Next, the purported message connected with Hemant's beard was sought to be decoded by a JMM supporter Krishna Oraon, who has made a frame showing him with his bearded face.
Oraon said, his beard echoes across the state what Hemant Soren has been reiterating in public- “I was sent to jail by the BJP on false charges to stop me do work for the development of people.”
In any case, Hemant Soren who is an Adivasi, claims to be secular and his party JMM’s support primarily comprises those from Adivasis, Christians and Muslims.
Across many communities and religions, a beard has its own positive symbol and connotation, and is often sported by males.
Against the above backdrop, the opposition BJP is aware of the fact that the ruling JMM-led INDIA allies- Congress, RJD and Left parties- will play the “ victim card” ( i.e., Hemant Soren was deliberately sent to jail by BJP on fabricated charges) during the campaign for the forthcoming assembly polls.
This can make CM Soren hit the 'battle' ground aggressively by continuing with his bearded face ahead of the Assembly polls in 2024.
“Many veteran freedom fighters had spent time inside the jail premises by writing books. Our leader has grown beard in his face to tell people that since he comes from a family of Adivasis, he was sent to jail on fabricated allegations”, says a JMM leader, echoing sentiments of a dozen Adivasis to whom JharkhandStateNews.com talked to ascertain their opinion.
