Jharkhand minister Sudivya Kumar dies at 56 as state declares two days of mourning

Sudivya Kumar, a senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader who served as minister for higher and technical education and urban development, died early Sunday after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 56.

The Jharkhand government declared two days of state mourning in honour of Kumar, the Giridih legislator regarded within the party as a “think tank” and close adviser to Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Kumar also held portfolios covering tourism, arts and culture, and sports and youth affairs.

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The patient, Sudivya Kumar Sonu, came to us at around 2.15am. He had been experiencing chest pain for approximately two hours. By the time he arrived, he had already aspirated. Basically, the vomit had gone into his lungs. He was immediately intubated to secure his airway. An ECG was performed, which showed signs of a heart attack.

Kumar went to a private hospital late Saturday after complaining of chest pain at his home in Giridih. Dr. Shahzad Shaikh of Mercy Hospital said Kumar arrived at about 2:15 a.m. after experiencing chest pain for roughly two hours. He had already aspirated, meaning vomit had entered his lungs, and doctors intubated him and performed an ECG that showed signs of a heart attack. He collapsed 10 to 15 minutes later. Medical staff began CPR and attempted resuscitation, but could not save him.

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Late at night, I received the heartbreaking news of the passing of my elder brother, our beloved Sudivya Kumar Ji. Accepting this news is extremely difficult for me. Sonu Bhaiya’s departure has left a void in my life that cannot be expressed in words.

Kumar was cremated with full state honours in his hometown. Soren, Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, cabinet colleagues and elected representatives from several parties attended and paid floral tributes.

Soren said Kumar’s death had left “a void in my life that cannot be expressed in words.” He described him as more than a senior colleague or political associate, calling him an elder brother who had offered guidance and stood beside him during difficult times. Soren said Kumar had served alongside JMM founder Shibu Soren since the Jharkhand movement and had devoted his life to the state’s identity, rights and pride.

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Kumar was not just a senior colleague or political associate but was like an elder brother...affectionate, guiding, and steadfastly standing by my side in every difficult time.