Sat Dec 13 09:33:07 UTC 2025: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Veteran Congress Leader Shivraj Patil Passes Away at 90, Last Rites Held in Latur

LATUR, MAHARASHTRA – December 13, 2025 – Veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister Shivraj Patil passed away on Friday, December 12, 2025, at the age of 90, following a brief illness in his hometown of Latur. His last rites were performed on Saturday, December 13, 2025, with full State honors in Latur, Maharashtra.

A large number of dignitaries 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.

Patil, a prominent member of the Lingayat community, was buried in a seated, meditative posture on his farm at Varvanti village, six kilometers from Latur, following Lingayat customs.

Shivraj Patil had a distinguished political career that spanned over five decades. He held several prominent positions in the Central government, including Speaker of the Lok Sabha and various ministerial portfolios. He also served as the Governor of Punjab and the Administrator of Chandigarh.

Patil started his political journey in 1967 as a member of the Latur Municipal Corporation. He was a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from Latur for two terms and represented the Latur constituency in the Lok Sabha for seven consecutive terms.

During his tenure in the Central government, he served as Minister of State for Defence, Minister of Commerce, and held independent charge of Science and Technology, Atomic Energy, Electronics, Space and Ocean Development. He also served as Minister for Personnel, Defence Production, Civil Aviation, and Tourism. Patil served as the Union Home Minister in 2004, resigning in 2008 following the Mumbai terror attacks.

Notably, in 1979, as Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly, Patil displayed remarkable presence of mind when he verified reports of the supposed death of Gandhian leader Jayaprakash Narayan, preventing the Assembly from offering condolences based on unconfirmed information.

Shivraj Patil’s legacy of public service and his contributions to Indian politics will be remembered for years to come.

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