Vijay Rupani Passes away in Devastating Air India Crash
India was shaken on Wednesday by the tragic death of Vijay Rupani, former Chief Minister of Gujarat, in a catastrophic Air India plane crash. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, flying from Ahmedabad to London, crashed just minutes after take-off in Meghani Nagar, claiming over 200 lives. Hours before the crash, a photograph of Rupani aboard the flight went viral—becoming a haunting symbol of the calamity.
Rupani, who served as Gujarat’s 16th Chief Minister (2016–2021), was widely known for his quiet persistence and steady leadership. His untimely death has not only stunned Gujarat but has also plunged the entire nation into mourning. Yet, tragically, Rupani’s passing is not an isolated event. Indian political history has witnessed several leaders lose their lives in similar aviation disasters, leaving behind legacies interrupted by fate.
Madhavrao Scindia: A Royal Leader Gone Too Soon
Among the most high-profile political losses in air crashes was Madhavrao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior and a Congress stalwart. In September 2001, his plane caught fire mid-air due to a technical fault and crashed near Motta village, Uttar Pradesh, while en route to a rally in Kanpur. At just 56, Scindia’s vibrant political career was cut short, leaving a void in national politics that has still not been fully filled.
YS Rajasekhara Reddy: Mystery and Mourning in Andhra
In September 2009, YS Rajashekhar Reddy, then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, met a tragic end when his helicopter vanished mid-flight while flying over the Nallamala forest. Adverse weather conditions were officially blamed, but conspiracy theories about Naxal involvement still persist. His charred remains were found after a tense 24-hour search, marking a dark chapter in Andhra Pradesh’s political journey.
Balwantrai Mehta: A Wartime Tragedy
In a rare case of an Indian leader dying due to military action, Balwantrai Mehta, the second Chief Minister of Gujarat, was killed during the 1965 Indo-Pak War. His Beechcraft aircraft, flying from Ahmedabad to Mithapur, was mistaken for a military threat and shot down by the Pakistani Air Force. Mehta perished along with his wife, journalists, and crew, becoming a tragic casualty of cross-border hostilities.
Dorjee Khandu: Lost in the Himalayas
Dorjee Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh (2007–2011), died in a helicopter crash in April 2011. His chopper disappeared en route from Tawang to Itanagar, sparking a massive four-day search. When the wreckage was finally located, it confirmed the worst fears of his family and constituents. The remoteness of the region made the rescue and recovery efforts particularly gruelling.
A Pattern That Haunts India’s Political Landscape
From Balwantrai Mehta to Vijay Rupani, India has lost several towering political figures in aviation tragedies—each instance a grim reminder of the unpredictability and fragility of life, even for those at the helm of power. Whether caused by technical failures, hostile action, or natural elements, these accidents have left gaping holes in India’s political and governance fabric.
As the nation mourns Vijay Rupani, it also remembers a string of leaders who took to the skies with purpose, but never returned. Their stories urge us not only to cherish their service, but to demand stronger aviation safety and oversight, especially for those entrusted with leading the nation.
(With agency inputs)
