The southern region of Bihar, encompassing areas like Palamu, Hazaribagh, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Chaibasa, Singhbhum, and Dhanbad, was once the source of all of Bihar’s wealth. However, North Bihar held political dominance, while the south was predominantly tribal. Exploiting and manipulating the tribal population was easy. Despite the existence of those willing to fight for their land, the area was neglected due to oppressive measures initiated during British rule. Bihar took the region for granted. Renowned Bengali writer Mahasweta Devi conducted extensive research in this area and wrote several novels depicting the plight of Jharkhand. Her literature revealed the treatment of Jharkhand’s tribals by the people of the plains. Shibu Soren, also known as Guruji or Dishom Guru, deeply understood the pain of his community. Through his relentless efforts, the separate state of Jharkhand was formed in November 2000, including the entire southern part of Bihar and parts of West Bengal and Odisha. Guruji fought for a separate state for 27 years, but his troubles did not end there. He was repeatedly betrayed. Although he served as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand three times, he never had the opportunity to complete his term. Even his son, Hemant Soren, faced obstacles during his previous term and was removed from his position for a few months, but his struggle bore fruit, and he succeeded in regaining the Chief Minister’s chair. Shibu Soren’s father, Sobaran Manjhi, was murdered by moneylenders. Following this, Shibu Soren took up the fight against social and economic injustice. In 1973, he formed the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and began fighting for tribal rights. His movement for a separate state soon gained momentum. He was a Member of Parliament from the Dumka Lok Sabha seat for eight consecutive terms. He received his education at home, and he deeply felt the pain of the tribals. At that time, people from the plains, known as Dikus, settled in tribal areas, exploited the tribals, considering them naive, and seized their mineral and forest resources.
