The last rites of veteran Congress leader and former Union minister Shivraj Patil were performed with full state honours on Saturday in his home district Latur, as the nation bid farewell to one of its most experienced parliamentarians and statesmen.
Several senior leaders across party lines attended the funeral, including Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, and Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre.
A prominent leader of the Lingayat community, Patil was buried at his farm in Varvanti village, about six kilometres from Latur, following traditional Lingayat rites. In accordance with the community’s customs, he was laid to rest in a seated, meditative posture. This ritual reflects the belief that the soul merges directly with Lord Shiva after death, making cremation unnecessary.
Before the burial, Patil was accorded a ceremonial gun salute. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla laid a wreath on the mortal remains while Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal and Latur Lok Sabha MP Shivaji Kolge were also present.
Shivraj Patil, aged 90, passed away on Friday in Latur following a brief illness. His political career spanned over five decades, during which he held several key positions, including Speaker of the Lok Sabha and Union Home Minister.
Patil began his public life as a member of the Latur Municipal Corporation in 1967. He served two terms as a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from 1972 to 1980. From 1980 onwards, he represented the Latur Lok Sabha constituency for seven consecutive terms, winning elections in 1980, 1984, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1998, and 1999.
He was first inducted into the Indira Gandhi-led government as Minister of State for Defence (1980–82) and later took independent charge of the Commerce Ministry (1982–83). Subsequently, Patil held key portfolios in Science and Technology, Atomic Energy, Electronics, Space, and Ocean Development (1983–84).
During the Rajiv Gandhi government, Patil served as Minister for Personnel, Defence Production, Civil Aviation and Tourism. In 2004, he took on the crucial role of Union Home Minister, a position he held until November 30, 2008, when he resigned taking moral responsibility for the security lapses during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
From 2010 to 2015, Patil served as Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh.
Patil was widely respected for his commitment to parliamentary ethics. A notable incident from March 1979 is often recalled, when unverified reports suggested that Gandhian leader Jayaprakash Narayan had passed away. While several leaders, including the then Prime Minister Morarji Desai, offered condolences in Parliament, Patil—then Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly—insisted on official confirmation. He adjourned the House, contacted the doctors treating Narayan, and confirmed that he was alive. The Assembly later passed a resolution wishing Narayan a long life.
Shivraj Patil’s death marks the end of an era defined by parliamentary decorum, administrative experience, and political integrity.