Jharkhand minister Sudivya Kumar dies of heart attack at 56

Jharkhand minister and senior JMM leader Sudivya Kumar died after a heart attack on Sunday. His sudden death has jolted the party and government, which called it an irreparable loss.

In Short

• Kumar handled education, urban development, tourism, culture, sports and youth affairs
• The JMM called his demise an irreparable loss for Jharkhand
• He represented Giridih after winning his first Assembly election in 2019

Jharkhand minister and senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Sudivya Kumar died on Sunday, the party said. He was 56 and died of a heart attack, according to a JMM leader.

Kumar, a legislator from Giridih, held the Higher and Technical Education and Urban Development portfolios. He also had charge of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and Sports and Youth Affairs. His death has left the JMM and the Jharkhand government mourning the loss of a senior leader and minister.

In a condolence message posted on X, Chief Minister Hemant Soren shared a heartfelt tribute for Kumar, whom he referred to as "Sonu Bhaiya."

"Sonu Bhaiya was not just a senior colleague or political associate to me. He was like an elder brother – affectionate, guiding, and steadfastly standing by my side in every difficult time. The moments spent with him and the lessons learnt from him will always remain with me," he wrote (in Hindi).

The Jharkhand CM added, "As a dedicated soldier of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, he devoted his entire life to the fight for Jharkhand's identity, rights, and pride. His dedication to Jharkhandiyat and his indomitable spirit will always be remembered."

The JMM also expressed shock and grief over Kumar's death, calling it an "irreparable loss" to the party, the government and Jharkhand. "The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha family is stunned and heart-broken by the untimely demise of Sudivya Kumar, a dedicated comrade of JMM and a Minister in Jharkhand government," the party said in a post on X.

The party also conveyed condolences to Kumar’s family and prayed for peace to the departed soul. He is survived by two daughters and a son.

Kumar was first elected to the Jharkhand Assembly from Giridih in 2019. A close aide of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, he played a key role in managing crises within the JMM, including during Soren’s arrest in 2024 in connection with an alleged land fraud and money laundering case.

He had returned this week from Karnataka, where he led a Jharkhand government delegation to explore ways to improve tourism infrastructure management in the state. During the visit, he met Karnataka Tourism Minister KJ George and discussed possibilities of cooperation between the two states in tourism and forest management.

The delegation also held detailed discussions on the possibility of associating Jungle Lodges & Resorts as a knowledge partner for better operation and management of tourism assets and resorts at major tourist destinations in Jharkhand.

Kumar’s death marks the loss of a senior JMM leader who handled several key ministries and played an important role in the party and the government.

- Ends
(With inputs from PTI)