With the passing of Jananayak Shibu Soren, the Disom Guru of India’s Adivasis, an entire epoch quietly bows out. His death is not just the end of a political journey—it is the closing of a chapter carved out in sweat, sacrifice, and the soul of a people.
To become Disom Guru—"Guru of the People"—for thousands of India’s dispossessed, takes more than just flesh and blood. It takes a rare fire. A vision. A burden only a few can carry. To even imagine what he endured is no easy task. But I consider myself privileged—I witnessed Shibu Soren not from afar, but from within reach, during a defining decade of my journalistic career in the Santhal Parganas, as a correspondent for The Telegraph.
Our first meeting remains etched in my memory. Guruji— as he was affectionately called—asked me a question that startled me:
“Since you are from Bengal (he assumed I was from Kolkata because of The Telegraph), how will you ever understand the suffering of Adivasis if you do not first study their history? Without that, your writing will remain partial.”
It wasn’t a dismissal—it was an invitation. A challenge. A calling.
When I shared with him that I hailed from Bihar, and had earlier worked with The Times of India, where I played a pivotal role in amplifying the Deepa Murmu case—a young Adivasi girl from Jamui whose violation sparked nationwide outrage—his demeanor changed. I had faced death threats from powerful ministers and bureaucrats in Lalu Prasad Yadav’s government, but by some providence, survived them all.
As fate would have it, our conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Dumka’s then Deputy Commissioner, Nidhi Khare. She turned to me and asked,
“Are you Gautam Sarkar from The Times of India, who relentlessly reported on Deepa Murmu’s case?”
Guruji was visibly stunned. He said nothing at that moment, but something shifted. From that day on, I felt a silent acknowledgment-an unspoken bond that grew stronger with time. I became, in his eyes, more than just a journalist-I became a fellow witness to struggle.
Over the years, I have written extensively on Shibu Soren. And yet, I believe none of it captured his essence fully. But I think my best work on him was " Midnight mass salutes rising-Huge turnout at Dumka rally greets Soren resurrection, JMM leader vows? revenge? on BJP" ( published 03/02/2006-The Telegraph). Also, I had one deep, personal wish—to publish a book about him while he was still alive. That dream now remains unfulfilled.
But perhaps, in his death, that urgency is reborn.
Perhaps, now is the time to tell the story of the man who carried an entire people on his shoulders.
Not just the political leader.
Not just the freedom fighter.
But the soul of a forgotten India.
