'Dishom Guru' Honored with Padma Bhushan; Bharat Ratna Should Also Be Considered: Vinod Pandey
Ranchi: Vinod Kumar Pandey, General Secretary of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), expressed happiness over the conferment of the Padma Bhushan award upon 'Dishom Guru' Shibu Soren. He described the honor as a tribute to the struggles of the people of Jharkhand, the tribal community, and the lakhs of individuals associated with the movement for a separate state.
Vinod Pandey stated that Dishom Guru’s entire life was dedicated to protecting water, forests, land, tribal identity, social justice, and the rights of marginalized communities. His struggle, which began in the village of Nemra, culminated in the creation of the state of Jharkhand; through his leadership and unwavering dedication to the public, he gave voice to the aspirations of millions.
He remarked that the acceptance of the Padma Bhushan award by Guruji’s wife, Rupi Soren, at the ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan was a moment of pride and deep emotion for the entire state of Jharkhand. This honor is not merely for an individual but is a tribute to the legacy of the movement, the ideology, and the struggle that secured a distinct identity for Jharkhand.
The JMM General Secretary noted that while the nation has acknowledged Guruji’s historic contributions through the Padma Bhushan, he believes that he should also be honored with the Bharat Ratna—the country's highest civilian award. He asserted that Shibu Soren’s social, political, and humanitarian contributions are so vast and historic that he is truly deserving of the Bharat Ratna.
Vinod Pandey added that Shibu Soren did not merely lead the movement for the creation of Jharkhand state; he fought a lifelong battle for the rights of the tribal community, farmers, laborers, and those standing at the very bottom of the social ladder. His life serves as a source of inspiration for future generations, and his ideals will continue to guide society.
He urged the Central Government to seriously consider conferring the Bharat Ratna posthumously upon Dishom Guru Shibu Soren, in recognition of his unparalleled contributions to nation-building, social justice, and public welfare.
