In a tragic twist of fate that rocked the entire country, the previous Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani met his demise in a tragic air accident on [insert date]. Besides taking the life of an experienced politician and public servant, the tragedy also left the country in mourning following the untimely death of a leader who had humility, administrative acumen and a passion for serving the people.
The Fatal Flight
Vijay Rupani was on his way to Delhi in a personal aircraft to attend a crucial political meeting with the top BJP leaders in Ahmedabad. The plane had six other occupants making a total of two crew members and four passengers. At about 11.37 AM, the aircraft lost communication with the air traffic control when it was overhead on the Rajasthan-Gujarat border.
People living in nearby villages said they heard a loud blast and then saw thick black smoke coming from the Aravalli hills. Later, the broken pieces of the plane were found in a remote forest area. Emergency teams quickly reached the spot in helicopters and ambulances, but sadly, no one survived.
An Entire Nation in Mourning
Information about the demise of Rupani spread like bush fire causing a mourning tidal wave throughout the state of Gujarat and India in general. Prime minister Narendra Modi, who had been a long-time associate of Rupani, condoled his demise on social media and said, Vijaybhai was not only a colleague but a friend. People will never forget his contributions towards the growth and developments of Gujarat. I sincerely mourn his family.”
In Gujarat, the government offices remained closed with flags at half-mast and a three-day state mourning was announced. Impromptu candle light vigils were observed in Rajkot, the place where Rupani started his political journey, and Gandhinagar, where he was the Chief Minister. The social media was awash with tributes, memories and mourning messages by citizens, leaders of different parties, journalists and civil society members.
The Life and Legacy of Vijay Rupani
Vijay Rupani was born on August 2, 1956, in Yangon (then Rangoon), Burma (Myanmar) and because of the military coup in Myanmar, Vijay Rupani along with his family migrated to Rajkot, Gujarat. Rupani is a graduate of the law degree course at Saurashtra University and had entered the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at a young age and had subsequently joined the BJP in the 1980s.
He was a municipal councillor in Rajkot and then was elected to Gujarat Legislative Assembly. His promotion path was stable and well deserved through diligence and loyalty. Rupani occupied some crucial portfolios such as transport, water supply, labor, and employment.
He was selected as the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2016 after Anandiben Patel resigned. He piloted the state during the significant time of the 2017 Gujarat Legislative Assembly elections and was re-elected, serving till 2021.
The style of governance led by Rupani was said to be calm, steady and people-oriented. He also dubbed a number of social welfare programs, focused on computerization of government services, and championed infrastructural development in urban as well as rural Gujarat. He also played a major role in handling the Gujarat response during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Immediate Aftermath
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) immediately after the crash requested an investigation into the matter. The following day, the black box of the aircraft was retrieved and this may aid in de-puzzling the happenings that resulted in the tragedy. It is a speculation of aviation experts that the crash could have been caused by poor weather conditions, a sudden mechanical failure or even a bird hit though the actual cause is still to be officially ascertained.
According to Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, a high-level probe committee has been constituted and instructed that transparency would be followed in the matter of investigation. It is our duty to the country, and to the memory of Vijaybhai that there should be no misunderstanding, he said.
In the meanwhile the mortal remains of all the victims were taken to Ahmedabad where they were given a state funeral with full honours. The tricolor-wrapped casket of Vijay Rupani was put on a flower-adorned truck and carried in a procession to the cremation ground after thousands of people came to see off the departed leader. The people of Gujarat said their last farewell with slogans of Vijaybhai Amar Rahe resounding the streets.
Tributes Pour In
Condolences poured across party lines with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posting on Twitter, “I am deeply saddened at the demise of Vijay Rupani ji. I am praying to his family and people who supported him. May his soul rest in peace.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and even global leaders condoled. Silence and prayers were witnessed in the memory of Rupani in religious institutions and education campuses.
The business leaders, particularly those of the industrial belt of Gujarat, remembered Rupani as one who helped in the growth and investment. He never allows a situation where governance and business cannot go together. I could always find his doors open,” said one of the leading textile entrepreneurs of Surat.
Political and Public Reaction
Since leaving the office of the chief minister in 2021, Rupani was still at the centre of politics in Gujarat. His demise creates a gap in the state leadership of the BJP, especially among the cadre who viewed him as a down to earth leader.
Some political observers feel that this tragedy may bring a politically charged environment to a temporary ceasefire since everyone knows that Rupani is a long-time adherent to democracy and service to people.
The reaction of people on the streets of Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Bhavnagar was that of shock and profound grief. Kavita Joshi, a schoolteacher in the city of Rajkot, said: “He was not always right in what he did but he was a clean leader and a gentleman.”
A Leader Remembered
During the days after his death, people gave remembrances that brought out the humane aspect of Rupani. Whether it was a silent sponsoring of girl child education in Bhuj or going to drought- affected villages and staying with them at night to know the sorrows of farmers, Rupani’s empathy reached several people.
He was simple even when he was in positions of power. He used to frequent the same roadside tea stalls and mingled with the people without any media publicity. It was his trait to be able to listen and to respond without arrogance.
In his memory, educational institutions, NGOs, and state departments have jealousy declared awards and programs. Even the Gujarat government is contemplating renaming a big government scheme and a government building after him as a respect.
Looking Ahead
The grief of this loss will require some time to mend but now the attention is on finishing the investigation and making air travel safe. There has been pressure on aviation authorities to ensure they undertake thorough inspections on the smaller, privately owned aircrafts that are used in charter flights- mostly those that carry high profile people.
Moreover, Gujarat politics will also have to adjust without a moderating influence of a leader such as Rupani, who was able to span generations and ideologies both within the BJP as well as outside.
Conclusion
The demise of Vijay Rupani is not a mere loss of a political leader. It is the defeat of a statesman who had faith in progress as peace, in government as dialogue and in leadership as service. His sad demise in the skies has created an everlasting scar in the heart of the nation.
When the smoke of his funeral pyre was drifting into the sky, it was taking with itself the tale of a man who dedicated his life to the people of Gujarat. He will be remembered not just in official archives and party posters but in the daily lives he changed, the policies he influenced and the legacy he leaves.
