JMM leader Sudivya Kumar dies at 56

Jharkhand Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu died of cardiac arrest at a private hospital in Giridih in the early hours of Sunday. The 56-year-old Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and two-term Giridih MLA had complained of discomfort at his residence before being rushed to the hospital, where he died during treatment.

“He was taken to a private hospital in Giridih but could not survive. Official announcement would be made soon,” a senior official said.

Sonu was cremated at the Harsinghraydeeh cremation ground on Sunday evening, with his son Shreyash lighting the funeral pyre marking the final farewell to the two-time Giridih MLA and senior JMM leader.

Sonu’s final journey began from his residence and proceeded to the cremation ground, drawing a large gathering of political leaders including Chief Minister Hemant Soren, elected representatives, Government officials, JMM workers, supporters and members of the public.

Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar on Sunday visited Giridih and paid his last respects to state minister Sudivya Kumar, who died suddenly. The Governor reached the late minister’s residence and offered a floral tribute to his mortal remains.

He also met the members of the bereaved family and conveyed his condolences. Gangwar expressed deep grief over Kumar’s untimely death, describing it as a painful loss for Jharkhand. He said the minister’s demise had caused a significant loss to the state.

The death of Sonu has sent shockwaves through the JMM family, as he was close to Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Chief Minister Hemant Soren, on receiving the death of Sonu’s death, posted in X handle, “Late last night, I received the sad news of the demise of my elder brother, our beloved Sudivya Kumar Sonu Ji. Accepting this news is extremely difficult for me. Sonu Bhaiya’s departure has left a void in my life that is impossible to express in words.”

“For me, Sonu Bhaiya was not just a senior colleague or a political associate. He was like an elder brother-someone who gave affection, guided me, and stood by my side steadfastly through every difficult time. The moments spent with him and the lessons learned from him will always stay with me,” Soren posted on his X handle.

Sudivya Kumar Sonu was associated with JMM for nearly three decades. In 1989, he became a primary member of JMM. Following that, in 1992, he became the founding president of the Giridih City JMM. He contested the assembly elections on a JMM ticket for the first time from Giridih in 2009. He contested from Giridih again in 2014, finishing in second place. However, in 2019, he won the Giridih Sadar Assembly seat for the first time. He went on to win again in the 2024 elections.

As the Minister of Higher Education, Sudivya Kumar Sonu played a key role during the JPSC-JSSC dispute by interacting directly with students. He communicated government decisions regarding student grievances, exam reforms, and investigations to the students. He played a crucial role in cancelling and postponing several JPSC-JSSC examinations, as well as initiating CID investigations.

Meanwhile, the Jharkhand government has declared a two-day state mourning in honour of senior JMM leader and minister Sudivya Kumar, who died on Sunday morning. The state government has also cancelled all its scheduled programmes during the period.

All Jharkhand government offices will remain closed on September 7, according to an official notification. “The state government has decided to observe two days of state mourning on September 6 and September 7, following the death of Minister Sudivya Kumar this morning,” it said.

The national flag will be flown at half-mast on all buildings in Jharkhand where it is regularly flown, the statement said.”