JMM senior leader and state Higher and Technical Education and Urban Development Minister Sudivya Kumar has died, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha said on Sunday (September 6, 2026).

He was 56.

Mr. Kumar, a legislator from Giridih, also held charge of crucial Ministries like Tourism, Arts & Culture and Sports and Youth Affairs.

Mr. Kumar died of cardiac arrest, a JMM leader said.

The JMM expressed shock and grief over the minister’s death, describing his demise as 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 Mr. Kumar’s family and prayed for peace to the departed soul.

Mr. Kumar was first elected to the Jharkhand Assembly from Giridih in 2019.

He is survived by two daughters and a son.

A close aide of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Mr. Kumar played a key role in managing crises within the JMM, including during Mr. Soren’s arrest in 2024 in connection with an alleged land fraud and money laundering case.

Mr. Kumar 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 K.J. 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.

Mr. Kumar’s sudden demise has left the JMM and the Jharkhand government mourning the loss of a senior leader and Minister.

Leaders across political spectrum condole death

Leaders cutting across the political spectrum on Sunday (September 6, 2026) condoled in the death of Mr. Kumar.

State BJP president Aditya Sahu said the news of Kumar’s demise was extremely heartbreaking.

“May God grant a place to the departed soul at His holy feet and bestow strength upon the bereaved family and his supporters to endure this immense sorrow. Om Shanti!” he said in a social media post.

Former CM Champai Soren said he was “deeply shocked and grieved” by Mr. Kumar’s untimely demise.

“May Marang Buru grant peace to the departed soul and provide strength to the bereaved family to bear this sorrow. Final Johar!” he said.

State Minister Dipika Pandey Singh described Mr. Kumar’s death as a personal loss.

“Today’s morning began with extremely sorrowful news. Our colleague and minister, brother Sudivya Sonu Ji, is no longer among us. I cannot bring myself to believe this news. His sudden departure is a personal loss for me,” she said in a social media post.

Health Minister Irfan Ansari also expressed grief, saying Mr. Kumar was like a brother to him.

“Our beloved brother and dear colleague passed away. The news has left me deeply saddened and shocked. He fought bravely during his treatment, but unfortunately, God had other plans. He was like a brother to me, and we had the privilege of working together as Cabinet Ministers. His untimely demise is an irreparable loss to all of us,” he said in a post.

Former state Congress president Rajesh Thakur said Kumar’s “dedication, activism and commitment” in raising the voice of the people would always be remembered.

“The news of the untimely demise of Jharkhand Government Minister and popular Giridih MLA Shri Sudivya Kumar Sonu ji is shocking and heart-wrenching. His demise has caused a loss to the political and social life of Jharkhand that cannot be compensated in the near future,” he said.

“As a young and hardworking public representative, he showed continuous commitment towards the development of his area and the state. Whenever there was talk of alliance, despite bickering, he wanted to reach a conclusion,” he added.

BJP state general secretary Amar Kumar Bauri also expressed grief over Kumar’s death and offered condolences to his family and supporters.