The Jharkhand Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution to send a proposal to the Centre recommending Bharat Ratna for veteran tribal leader and former chief minister Shibu Soren.

The resolution, moved by Transport Minister Dipak Birua, was passed by voice vote.Even the Opposition BJP supported this resolution with a difference since it demanded Bharat Ratna for two others Jharkhand leaders - Binod Bihari Mahto and Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda.

Incidentally, all three late leaders have played their role for Jharkhand. Shibu Soren  had joined hands with Binod Bihari Mahto’s who was his lawyer and who funded him and jointly founded the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. 

This was not the point of concern for the JMM and its allies -RJD and Congress. And as such, moving 

the resolution, Birua said, Soren dedicated his whole life to protect the rights, honour and self-respect of tribals, farmers, labourers and the oppressed and waged a war for the creation of a separate state.

"His contribution holds historical significance in achieving social justice and democratic values. He was not just a political leader but a visionary. 

Through his tireless struggle and effort, we got a new state and a new identity. Conferring the highest national civilian honour to such a leader would be a true tribute to him," Birua said.

He added, "In accordance with the spirit of the ruling and the opposition, I move a resolution that this House request the government of India to confer Bharat Ratna on Dishom Guru Shibu Soren."

Leader of the opposition Babulal Marandi said his party (BJP) supported the decision.

"Since we are taking a historic decision, I would like to add two more names — Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda and Binod Bihari Mahto, who were pioneers of the Jharkhand movement, in the resolution," Marandi added.

JMM founder Shibu Soren died on August 4 while undergoing treatment at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi. He was 81.

The former Rajya Sabha MP, who played a key role in Jharkhand's creation, has left behind a legacy that reshaped the country's politics.

His death marked the end of a political era that saw the tribal movement rise to national prominence.

Born on January 11, 1944, in Ramgarh district's Nemra village (then in Bihar, now in Jharkhand), Soren was popularly known as 'Dishom Guru' (leader of the land) and patriarch of JMM, who was considered one of the most enduring political figures in the country's tribal and regional political landscape.

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