Former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil passed away on Friday at the age of 91 in Maharashtra. A veteran Congress leader and one of the party’s senior-most administrators, Patil had been unwell for some time and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital, where he breathed his last in the early hours of the day.
Patil, who served as Home Minister from 2004 to 2008, also held several prominent positions during his decades-long political career, including Speaker of the Lok Sabha and Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh. Known for his measured style of functioning, he was regarded as a soft-spoken but influential figure in national politics.
Born in 1933 in Maharashtra’s Latur district, Patil entered public life early and rose through the Congress ranks, winning multiple terms as a Member of Parliament. He played key roles in various parliamentary committees and was closely associated with organisational responsibilities within the party.
In his tenure as Home Minister, Patil oversaw internal security matters during a turbulent period marked by several terror incidents. Though he faced criticism over certain responses to national security challenges, he remained a respected statesman across party lines.
Political leaders cutting across the spectrum expressed condolences over his demise, remembering him as a dignified leader who contributed significantly to public life. Senior Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi, paid tribute to Patil, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved family.
His final rites will be performed in his hometown, with state honours, officials said. His passing marks the end of an era for the Congress, which loses yet another of its stalwart administrators.
