Ramgarh: Chief minister Hemant Soren on Sunday performed shradh rituals for his mother, Rupi Soren, at the family’s ancestral home in Nemra village of Ramgarh district, as thousands of people gathered for the ‘sanskar bhoj’ (community feast).The ceremony was held a day after the 10th day rituals. Rupi Soren (75), wife of JMM patriarch and Dishom Guru Shibu Soren, died at a private hospital in Ranchi on Oct 7. She was cremated at Dhekanala Ghat in Nemra the next day.In keeping with Santhal traditions, Hemant shaved his head as part of the rituals. He has been staying in Nemra since his mother’s death and has taken part in all the ceremonies.JMM general secretary Fagu Besra said the community feast began after the shradh ceremony. Three large pandals, each with a seating capacity of more than 1,500 people at a time, have been erected in Nemra.People from across Jharkhand and neighbouring states have been arriving in large numbers to attend the feast and offer condolences to the Soren family. Politicians cutting across party lines, party workers, supporters and villagers also visited Nemra on Saturday to pay their respects.Ramgarh deputy commissioner Rituraj said the district administration had made elaborate security and crowd management arrangements in view of the expected turnout. Additional security personnel and magistrates have been deployed along the route from Nemra to Ramgarh. Three helipads have also been prepared for VIPs and VVIPs expected to visit the village.Separate parking areas for four-wheelers and two-wheelers have been created at Lukaiyatan, around 5 km from the venue. More than 400 e-rickshaws have been deployed to ferry visitors between the parking area and Nemra village.In Aug 2025, Hemant had organised similar rites and a community feast after his father’s demise. The event had turned Nemra into a major political and social gathering.
