The last rites of veteran Congress leader and former Union minister Shivraj Patil took place with full state honors on Saturday in his home district of Latur. The nation bid farewell to one of its most experienced parliamentarians during this solemn occasion.
Several senior leaders from various political parties attended the funeral. Notable figures included Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth. Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre also came to pay their respects.
Patil, a prominent leader of the Lingayat community, was laid to rest at his farm in Varvanti village, situated about six kilometers from Latur. Following traditional Lingayat rites, he was interred in a seated meditative posture. The custom symbolizes the belief that the soul directly merges with Lord Shiva upon death, making cremation unnecessary.
Before the burial, Patil received a ceremonial gun salute. Om Birla laid a wreath on his mortal remains, paying tribute to the stalwart of Indian politics. Harshwardhan Sapkal, the Maharashtra Congress President, and Shivaji Kolge, the Latur Lok Sabha MP, were also present during the solemn ceremony.
Shivraj Patil, aged 90, passed away on Friday following a brief illness. His political journey spanned more than five decades, during which he occupied several significant roles in the Union government. Among these were his tenures as Speaker of the Lok Sabha and Union Home Minister.
Patil’s public service began as a member of the Latur Municipal Corporation in 1967. He later served in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from 1972 to 1980 and represented the Latur Lok Sabha constituency for seven consecutive terms from 1980 to 1999.
A notable politician, he first joined the Indira Gandhi-led government as Minister of State for Defence from 1980 to 1982. He was later given independent charge of the Commerce Ministry and held several key portfolios including Science and Technology, Atomic Energy, and Electronics.
During the Rajiv Gandhi administration, Patil managed various critical ministries, culminating in his role as Union Home Minister from 2004 until November 2008. He resigned from this position taking moral responsibility for the lapses in security during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
In addition to his political career, Shivraj Patil served as the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh from 2010 to 2015. His leadership left a lasting impact in these roles.
Patil earned respect for his unwavering commitment to parliamentary ethics. A memorable incident from March 1979 remains etched in public memory. Unverified reports suggested that Gandhian leader Jayaprakash Narayan had died. While many leaders, including the then Prime Minister Morarji Desai, expressed condolences, Patil, who was the Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly at the time, demanded official confirmation. He adjourned the House and confirmed from treating doctors that Narayan was alive. Later, the Assembly passed a resolution wishing Narayan long life. He ultimately passed away in October 1979.
The death of Shivraj Patil marks the conclusion of an era characterized by parliamentary decorum, profound administrative experience, and unwavering political integrity.
