Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani Among Victims of Air India Crash; Funeral Today with State Honours
GG News Bureau
Ahmedabad, 16th June: Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has been confirmed among the 270 victims of the devastating Air India Flight 171 crash that occurred on Thursday afternoon, just seconds after take-off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.
Rupani, who was en route to London to visit his wife and daughter, was traveling aboard the ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed into the hostel building of BJ Medical College, killing nearly all on board and several individuals on the ground. The crash sent thick black smoke billowing across the Meghaninagar area and triggered widespread shock and mourning.
Out of 242 passengers and crew on board, only one individual—British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh—survived the crash. He is currently undergoing treatment and remains in critical condition.
Rupani’s Body Identified via DNA
Three days after the crash, Mr Rupani’s body was identified on Sunday through DNA sampling, part of an intensive identification process being conducted by forensic experts in Gandhinagar. His remains were returned to his hometown Rajkot, where his funeral will be held today with full state honours.
The Gujarat government has declared a one-day state mourning in memory of the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, who served as Chief Minister from 2016 to 2021.
Leaders Pay Tribute
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel paid his respects to his predecessor, laying a wreath and offering a silent tribute before Mr Rupani’s mortal remains. He was seen folding his hands in solemn remembrance.
“The loss of Vijaybhai is deeply personal and painful. He was a leader who served Gujarat with dedication and dignity,” Patel said in a brief statement.
Condolences have poured in from across party lines and states, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President JP Nadda also extending their tributes. Several political and administrative leaders are expected to attend the funeral in Rajkot.
A Tragic End to a Public Life
Vijay Rupani, 68, was a prominent figure in Gujarat’s political landscape. He was known for his calm demeanour and administrative focus during his tenure as Chief Minister, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and Gujarat’s industrial expansion efforts.
The crash that claimed his life remains under investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with parallel assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) due to the aircraft being American-made.
As the state of Gujarat bids farewell to one of its senior-most political leaders, the tragedy has left a deep void in public life and a grim reminder of the lives lost in one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters.
