Latur, Maharashtra: Former Union Home Minister and veteran Congress leader Shivraj Patil passed away at his residence in Latur, Maharashtra, on Friday, December 12, 2025. He was 91. Patil had been undergoing treatment at home for a prolonged age-related illness and breathed his last at approximately 6:30 am.

Born on October 12, 1935, in Chakur, Maharashtra, Patil's political journey spanned several decades and included numerous significant roles in both state and national politics. He began his career in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, representing Latur City from 1972 to 1980. During this time, he served as Deputy Minister for Law and Judiciary, Irrigation, and Protocol, and later as Deputy Speaker and Speaker of the Assembly.

Patil's entry into national politics came in 1980 when he was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Latur constituency. He represented Latur for seven consecutive terms, winning elections in 1980, 1984, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1998, and 1999. His extensive parliamentary experience led to his appointment as the 10th Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 1991 to 1996.

In 2004, despite losing the Lok Sabha election, Patil was appointed as the Union Home Minister in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. He later became a member of the Rajya Sabha. His tenure as Home Minister was marked by several challenges, including the 2006 Malegaon bombings and the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Following the Mumbai attacks, Patil resigned from his position in November 2008, taking moral responsibility for the security lapses.

From 2010 to 2015, Patil served as the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Throughout his career, Patil also held various ministerial portfolios, including Minister of State for Defence, Commerce, Science and Technology, Atomic Energy, Electronics, Space, and Ocean Development.

Patil's political career was not without controversy. He faced criticism for his handling of internal security during his tenure as Home Minister and was embroiled in a controversy regarding changing clothes multiple times on the night of the 2008 Delhi bombings. More recently, in 2022, Patil sparked controversy by comparing the concept of "jihad" to the teachings of Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita.

Shivraj Patil is survived by his son, Shailesh Patil, daughter-in-law Archana, and two granddaughters. His daughter-in-law, Archana, is a BJP leader. Condolences have poured in from Congress party workers and leaders across the nation. Visuals from outside his residence in Latur showed people and party workers gathering to pay their respects.

Shivraj Patil's autobiography, "Odyssey of My Life," chronicles his journey through Indian public life. His long and distinguished career has left a significant mark on Indian politics.