Rupi Soren, wife of Shibu Soren and mother of CM Hemant Soren, dies in Ranchi
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Ranchi, October 7: Rupi Soren, wife of former Jharkhand Chief Minister and JMM patriarch Shibu Soren and mother…
Rupi Soren (file photo)
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, October 7: Rupi Soren, wife of former Jharkhand Chief Minister and JMM patriarch Shibu Soren and mother of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, died at a private hospital in Ranchi on Wednesday evening. She was around 80 years old.
Rupi Soren had been undergoing treatment at Hill View Hospital on Bariatu Road for the last several days. Her condition had deteriorated in recent days, and she was placed on life support on Wednesday.
Her death has plunged the Soren family into mourning and triggered grief across Jharkhand’s political and social circles.
Health Had Deteriorated Over Past Few Weeks
Rupi Soren had been unwell for some time. She was admitted to Hill View Hospital on September 18 after developing breathing difficulties and other health complications. Earlier, she had travelled outside Jharkhand for treatment.
On Wednesday, doctors placed her on life support after her condition became critical. The hospital had been closely monitoring her, while Chief Minister Hemant Soren remained in touch with the doctors and visited the hospital.
The Chief Minister had cancelled several engagements after his mother’s condition deteriorated. The state Cabinet meeting scheduled for Wednesday evening was also postponed.
Hemant Soren Pays Emotional Tribute to Mother
Chief Minister Hemant Soren shared an emotional post on X following his mother’s death, remembering her as his greatest source of strength after the passing of his father, Shibu Soren.
“After Baba left, Ma was my greatest shelter. Today, even that shelter has merged into the lap of nature,” he wrote.
A Life Closely Linked to Shibu Soren’s Struggle
Rupi Soren remained largely away from the public spotlight, but played a significant role in holding together the Soren family during Shibu Soren’s long political and social struggle.
She was married to Shibu Soren in 1962 and stood by him through the years when he was involved in the Jharkhand movement and struggles against moneylenders and exploitation in the region.
While Shibu Soren was deeply involved in political activity, Rupi Soren largely managed the household and took responsibility for raising and educating their children.
She was also remembered within the family and among supporters as a strong presence who helped keep the family united through difficult periods.
Contested Lok Sabha Election in 1999
Rupi Soren also had a brief direct association with electoral politics.
She contested the 1999 Lok Sabha election from the Dumka (ST) constituency on a Jharkhand Mukti Morcha ticket. She secured 1,96,493 votes, while BJP candidate Babulal Marandi polled 2,01,141 votes, defeating her by around 4,648 votes.
Although she did not subsequently establish a sustained political career, she remained an important figure within the Soren family.
Mother of Hemant, Durga and Basant Soren
Rupi Soren was the mother of Durga Soren, Hemant Soren, Basant Soren and a daughter, Anjali Soren.
Durga Soren, a prominent JMM leader and former Jama MLA, died in 2009. Hemant Soren went on to become Chief Minister of Jharkhand, while Basant Soren is a JMM legislator.
Hemant Soren was born in Nemra village in Ramgarh district on August 10, 1975.
Emotional Moments with Hemant Soren
Rupi Soren remained a visible emotional presence in some important moments of her son’s political life.
When Hemant Soren was released from jail in June 2024, she welcomed him with an aarti and applied tilak to his forehead. She also attended his swearing-in ceremony in November 2024 in a wheelchair.
In June 2026, she received the Padma Bhushan, awarded posthumously to Shibu Soren, from President Droupadi Murmu, another significant public moment for the family.
Shibu Soren Died in 2025
Rupi Soren’s death comes a little over a year after the death of her husband, Shibu Soren.
Shibu Soren died at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi on August 4, 2025, after a prolonged illness. His death marked the end of an era for the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Jharkhand’s tribal political movement.
Rupi Soren’s death now leaves the Soren family facing another major personal loss.
