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 of Latur, as the nation bid farewell to one of its most experienced parliamentarians.
Several senior leaders across party lines attended the funeral, including Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth. The dignitaries reflected the widespread respect Patil commanded throughout his political career.
A prominent leader of the Lingayat community, Patil was buried at his farm in Varvanti village, about six kilometres from Latur. He was laid to rest following traditional Lingayat rites, in a seated, meditative posture. This ritual symbolizes the belief that the soul merges with Lord Shiva after death, making cremation unnecessary.
Before the burial, the ceremony included a ceremonial gun salute. Om Birla laid a wreath on Patil’s mortal remains, reaffirming the high esteem in which the late leader was held.
At the age of 90, Shivraj Patil passed away on Friday in Latur following a brief illness. His political career spanned over five decades, during which he experienced the highs and lows of Indian politics, holding key positions in the Union government.
Patil started his public life as a member of the Latur Municipal Corporation in 1967. Over his extensive career, he served two terms in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly between 1972 and 1980, before representing the Latur Lok Sabha constituency for seven consecutive terms beginning in 1980. He won elections in every parliamentary election during those years, a testament to his enduring popularity.
From 1980 to 1982, Patil served as Minister of State for Defence in the Indira Gandhi-led government, before taking up several other crucial portfolios including Commerce, Science and Technology, and later, the Union Home Ministry.
During the Rajiv Gandhi government, he held ministerial positions in Defence Production, Civil Aviation, and Tourism. He faced a significant challenge while serving as Union Home Minister, resigning in 2008 after the Mumbai terror attacks due to alleged lapses in security.
From 2010 to 2015, Patil also served as the Governor of Punjab and was the Administrator of Chandigarh, showcasing his diverse capabilities in governance and administration.
Patil was renowned for his integrity and commitment to parliamentary ethics. A notable incident from March 1979 highlights this respect when unconfirmed reports suggested Gandhian leader Jayaprakash Narayan had died. While many leaders offered condolences in Parliament, Patil, then Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly, insisted on official confirmation. He adjourned the House, contacted medical personnel, and confirmed that Narayan was alive, leading the Assembly to pass a resolution wishing him a long life.
Shivraj Patil’s death marks the end of an era defined by parliamentary decorum, administrative experience, and political integrity. His legacy will undoubtedly influence future generations of politicians in India.
