Padma Bhushan Recognises Shibu Soren, but Sister Says Bharat Ratna Was Deserved

Saraikela: While Jharkhand is celebrating the Padma Bhushan awarded to late tribal leader and former Chief Minister Shibu Soren, his sister Sukhi Tudu has voiced that the honour falls short of his true contribution, saying he deserved the Bharat Ratna.

Expressing happiness over the Padma Bhushan, Sukhi Tudu said the recognition was welcome but insufficient when measured against Shibu Soren’s lifelong service to Jharkhand and the tribal cause. She maintained that his work made him a rightful candidate for the country’s highest civilian award.

Addressing the media, she said the family was proud of the Padma Bhushan but firmly believed that Shibu Soren’s dedication to the people, especially tribals, warranted the Bharat Ratna.

She reminisced about her brother’s early involvement in social movements, recalling how he would spend days and nights travelling through forest regions to awaken public consciousness and organise resistance against moneylenders and feudal oppression.

According to Sukhi Tudu, Shibu Soren stood not only as a political figure but as an enduring symbol of tribal pride and the struggle for jal, jangal, zameen, and social justice. She added that the demand for awarding him the Bharat Ratna has echoed across Jharkhand for years, as his life reflected sacrifice and unwavering service.

She further mentioned that social service was part of their family’s legacy, noting their mother’s involvement in community welfare. Among all siblings, she said, Shibu Soren contributed the most towards social upliftment.

Following the Padma Bhushan announcement, Shibu Soren’s journey and sacrifices have once again come into the national spotlight, with supporters intensifying calls for the Bharat Ratna.

With inputs from IANS