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News18
12-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Vijay Rupani Killed In Air India Crash: Which Other Indian Leaders Died In Aviation Mishaps?
Last Updated: Several tragic aviation accidents have claimed the lives of notable Indian leaders, including sitting and former chief ministers, union ministers, and key political figures Among the confirmed fatalities of Thursday's tragic Air India crash is Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vijay Rupani. Rupani, who served as the 16th chief minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021, was reportedly en route to London. His demise marks the second time Gujarat has lost a former CM in an aviation tragedy. Several tragic aviation accidents have claimed the lives of notable Indian leaders, including sitting and former chief ministers, union ministers, and key political figures. Balwantrai Mehta (1965): The second chief minister of Gujarat, Balwantrai Gopalji Mehta, tragically died in September 1965 during the Indo-Pakistani War. His civilian Beechcraft aircraft, flying from Mithapur to the Kutch border, was mistakenly shot down by a Pakistan Air Force pilot. He died along with his wife, staff members, a journalist, and the crew. Mohan Kumaramangalam (1973): An influential parliamentarian and former union minister, S Mohan Kumaramangalam, died when Indian Airlines Flight 440 crashed near Delhi on May 31, 1973. His body was identified only by his Parker pen and a hearing aid. Sanjay Gandhi (1980): The younger son of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and a rising star in the Congress party, Sanjay Gandhi, died in a plane crash on June 23, 1980. He was piloting a Pitts S-2A aircraft, reportedly performing aerial acrobatics near Safdarjung Airport in Delhi, when the aircraft lost control and crashed. His untimely death brought a sudden end to what many believed was the political heir apparent to the Gandhi dynasty. Surendra Nath (1994): The then governor of Punjab and acting governor of Himachal Pradesh, Surendra Nath, along with nine members of his family, died when the government's Super-King aircraft crashed into high mountains in bad weather on July 9, 1994, in Himachal Pradesh. Madhavrao Scindia (2001): A towering Congress figure and a nine-term Member of Parliament, Madhavrao Scindia, then a former union minister, was travelling to a political rally in Kanpur on September 30, 2001, when his private Beechcraft aircraft crashed in Uttar Pradesh's Mainpuri district. The fire-engulfed wreckage left all eight on board dead. GMC Balayogi (2002): The then Speaker of the Lok Sabha, GMC Balayogi, died on March 3, 2002, when the Bell 206 helicopter carrying him crashed into a pond near Kovvadalanka village in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district. Poor visibility was cited as a contributing factor. OP Jindal and Surender Singh (2005): Industrialist and then Haryana power minister OP Jindal, along with the state's agriculture minister Surender Singh, perished when their King Cobra helicopter crashed near Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on March 31, 2005. They were en route to Chandigarh from Delhi. YS Rajasekhara Reddy (2009): Popularly known as YSR, the then chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Rajasekhara Reddy, died on September 2, 2009, when his Bell 430 helicopter crashed in the dense Nallamala forest due to bad weather. His body was traced 27 hours after the helicopter went missing. Dorjee Khandu (2011): The then chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Dorjee Khandu, died in a helicopter crash on April 30, 2011, while flying from Tawang to Itanagar. After a five-day frantic search across dense West Kameng forests, his wrecked Pawan Hans chopper was discovered. Poor aircraft conditions and challenging terrain were believed to have contributed to the fatal incident.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Vijay Rupani's death in Ahmedabad plane crash brings back Indo-Pak war memories when Gujarat lost another CM to the skies
Gujarat plunged into mourning on Thursday as former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was confirmed dead in the catastrophic crash of Air India flight AI-171 , rekindling the state's painful memory of losing another sitting Chief Minister, Balwantrai Mehta , in an aviation tragedy during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965. The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner had just taken off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport when it plummeted into the Meghani Nagar locality, barely five minutes into its ascent. The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew, exploded into a fireball, engulfing homes and sending thick smoke billowing into the city's skyline. Eyewitnesses reported a deafening boom and a wave of panic as emergency crews raced to contain the fire and comb through the wreckage for survivors. Among the confirmed dead was 68-year-old Vijay Rupani, a senior BJP leader who had served as the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021. He was flying Business Class, reportedly listed as passenger number 12 on the manifest. His death stunned political corridors and left the Rajkot West constituency — which he long represented — reeling with grief. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Reduza custos logísticos Sistema TMS embarcador Saiba Mais Undo A Personal Loss Beyond Politics Rupani is survived by his wife and two children. His family had already endured deep sorrow years earlier when his youngest son, Pujit, died in an accident. That loss led to the establishment of the Pujit Rupani Memorial Trust, a philanthropic foundation that worked quietly but persistently across Gujarat on charitable initiatives. His untimely death cuts short the life of a leader remembered for his grounded demeanour, administrative continuity, and efforts to strengthen urban infrastructure during his term as CM. His calm presence in Gujarat's political landscape will be deeply missed. You Might Also Like: Ahmedabad plane crash: Who were the only 2 survivors of the 1988 Indian Airlines flight tragedy in which over 100 passengers died? Echoes from the Past: The Balwantrai Mehta Tragedy The devastating loss of Vijay Rupani reopens a painful chapter in Gujarat's history — the death of Chief Minister Balwantrai Mehta during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Mehta, often hailed as the 'Architect of Panchayati Raj' for his pioneering work on democratic decentralisation, was a towering figure in post-independence Indian politics. He had been a freedom fighter, imprisoned multiple times during British rule, and later served as a Lok Sabha MP and member of the Congress Working Committee under Jawaharlal Nehru. On 19 September 1965, while flying from Mithapur to the Kutch border in a civilian Beechcraft aircraft piloted by former Indian Air Force officer Jahangir Engineer, Mehta's plane was mistakenly shot down by the Pakistan Air Force. The Pakistani pilot, Qais Hussain, assumed the aircraft to be on a reconnaissance mission and acted on orders to engage. The tragic incident claimed the lives of Mehta, his wife, three staff members, a journalist, and two crew members. In a deeply symbolic gesture decades later, Qais Hussain wrote a letter to Engineer's daughter, apologizing for the fatal mistake — an extraordinary footnote in the annals of wartime aviation and diplomacy. You Might Also Like: Ahmedabad plane crash victim's final 'Goodbye India' post is now a haunting reminder of life's uncertainty Investigation Underway As news of Rupani's death spread, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and state officials, assuring full central support for the ongoing investigation and rescue operations. Aviation experts suggested that the aircraft's full international fuel load likely intensified the blaze, hampering recovery and identification efforts. A formal probe by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is underway, with technical assistance expected from Boeing engineers. As the nation grieves, political observers and citizens alike are struck by the symbolism — how the skies, vehicles of progress and connectivity, have twice snatched away Gujarat's leadership. A Tragic Pattern That Haunts Indian Politics Rupani's death adds his name to a somber list of Indian political figures lost to air accidents . From Madhavrao Scindia and Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy to Dorjee Khandu and O.P. Jindal, the recurring theme of political journeys cut short by aviation disasters continues to haunt India's democratic narrative. For Gujarat, this is not just the death of a former Chief Minister — it is a haunting repetition, a tragic déjà vu, and a reminder of how leadership, even at its highest echelons, remains vulnerable to the cruel whims of fate. You Might Also Like: Ahmedabad airport crash flashback: 37 years ago, Indian Airlines Flight 113 accident killed over 100 people
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ahmedabad plane crash: Ex-Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani dead. Political leaders India has lost to air crashes in the past
A devastating air tragedy shook Gujarat on Thursday afternoon when an Air India flight bound for London crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying over 240 passengers and crew, plunged into the Meghani locality, setting off a massive blaze that blanketed the skies in smoke and triggered a full-scale emergency response. Among those confirmed dead was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani , a towering figure in the state's political landscape. Rupani, who had served as the 16th Chief Minister from 2016 to 2021 and represented Rajkot West in the state assembly, was en route to London when the tragedy occurred. Senior BJP leader Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, visibly shaken, confirmed Rupani's presence on the flight and the news of his demise. Rupani is survived by his wife and two children. The couple had previously lost their youngest son, Pujit, in an accident — a grief that led them to establish the Pujit Rupani Memorial Trust, dedicated to philanthropic work across Gujarat. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Access all TV channels anywhere, anytime Techno Mag Learn More Undo — capt_amarinder (@capt_amarinder) Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and senior state officials, assuring full central support as rescue teams and forensic experts examined the wreckage. Aviation authorities suggested that the aircraft's heavy fuel load for the international route likely intensified the post-crash fire, complicating both rescue operations and identification efforts. A formal investigation has been launched by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), with Boeing engineers expected to join the probe. Rupani's tragic death adds to a somber list of Indian political leaders who have lost their lives in aircraft accidents — an eerie pattern that continues to haunt the nation's political history. You Might Also Like: Ahmedabad plane crash victim's final 'Goodbye India' post is now a haunting reminder of life's uncertainty Balwantrai Gopalji Mehta Balwantrai Gopalji Mehta, the second Chief Minister of Gujarat and a senior Congress leader, was killed in an air crash during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Known as the 'Architect of Panchayati Raj' for his role in democratic decentralisation, Mehta was flying from Mithapur to the Kutch border on 19 September 1965 in a civilian Beechcraft aircraft. The plane, piloted by ex-IAF officer Jahangir Engineer, was mistakenly shot down by the Pakistan Air Force. Mehta died along with his wife, staff members, a journalist, and the crew, marking one of the earliest instances of a sitting CM dying in a military conflict. — vinodnambardar (@vinodnambardar) Dorjee Khandu Then CM of Arunachal Pradesh, Dorjee Khandu died in a helicopter crash while flying from Tawang to Itanagar in 2011. After five days of frantic search across the dense West Kameng forests, his wrecked Pawan Hans chopper was discovered. Poor aircraft conditions and rough terrain are believed to have contributed to the fatal incident. — PemaKhanduBJP (@PemaKhanduBJP) O.P. Jindal and Surender Singh In 2005, industrialist and Haryana power minister O.P. Jindal, along with agriculture minister Surender Singh, perished when their King Cobra helicopter crashed near Saharanpur. The duo had taken off after a political meeting in Delhi, only to meet a tragic end en route to Chandigarh. YS Rajasekhara Reddy Andhra Pradesh CM YSR Reddy's helicopter went missing in 2009 during a stormy flight across the forested Nallamala region. The search operation lasted nearly 24 hours before confirming his death. His welfare schemes had made him immensely popular, and reports claimed over a hundred supporters died in shock following the tragedy. You Might Also Like: Ahmedabad plane crash: Who were the only 2 survivors of the 1988 Indian Airlines flight tragedy in which over 100 passengers died? — VSReddy_MP (@VSReddy_MP) Madhavrao Scindia A towering Congress figure and nine-term MP, Scindia was traveling to a rally in Kanpur in 2001, when his private Beechcraft aircraft crashed in Uttar Pradesh's Mainpuri district. The fire-engulfed wreckage left all eight on board dead, including prominent journalists. His death ended the political journey of a leader often seen as a future Prime Minister. — IndiaHistorypic (@IndiaHistorypic) Sanjay Gandhi Sanjay Gandhi, the younger son of Indira Gandhi and a rising Congress star, died in a plane crash in 1980 while performing aerial acrobatics in Delhi. His passion for flying cost him dearly, bringing a sudden end to what many believed was the political heirship of the Gandhi dynasty. G.M.C. Balayogi Serving as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha during 2002, Balayogi was returning from a function in Andhra Pradesh when his Bell helicopter crashed into coconut groves due to low flying. The incident claimed his life, along with his pilot and security officer, marking a dark day in Indian parliamentary history. Mohan Kumaramangalam in 1973, an influential parliamentarian, Kumaramangalam died when Indian Airlines Flight 440 crashed in Delhi. His body was identified not through records or visual confirmation, but via his Parker pen and hearing aid — a haunting detail symbolic of many such aviation tragedies. You Might Also Like: 10 celebrities who died in plane crashes A recurring shadow in Indian politics While air travel is essential for the fast-paced demands of public service, the sky has often proven treacherous for India's leaders. As the country awaits word on Vijay Rupani's fate, the Ahmedabad crash painfully reminds us that behind every aviation disaster lies not just metal wreckage, but ruptured leadership, unfinished legacies, and national grief. You Might Also Like: Ahmedabad airport crash flashback: 37 years ago, Indian Airlines Flight 113 accident killed over 100 people
Deccan Herald
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Tharoor slams 'zealots'; says was clearly speaking only about reprisals for terrorist attacks
After a long and successful day in Panama, i have to wind up at midnightvhere with departure for Bogota, Colombia in six hours, so I don't really have time for this — but anyway: For those zealots fulminating about my supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC: in tge… — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 29, 2025 My dear @ShashiTharoor Alas ! I could prevail upon PM Modi to declare you as super spokesperson of BJP , even declaring as foreign minister before landing in India . How could you denigrate the golden history of Congress by saying that before PM Modi , India never crossed LOC… — Dr. Udit Raj (@Dr_Uditraj) May 28, 2025 Officers of 4 Sikh Regiment posing outside a captured Pakistani police station in Burki, Lahore District. This image is from the Battle of Burki (also known as the Battle of Lahore, 1965), a significant engagement during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, fought between Indian… — Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) May 28, 2025 Former PM Manmohan Singh : Many Surgical Strikes Conducted Under UPA…. CC @ShashiTharoor — Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) May 28, 2025
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Meet the two Indian Army generals who were promoted as field marshal
Pakistan's Army chief General Asim Munir has been promoted to the rank of field marshal for his apparent role in the recent India-Pakistan conflict. This move made him the second senior military officer in Pakistan to be promoted to the position. In India, the rank of field marshal has been conferred to only two officers until now: Sam Manekshaw in 1973 and Kodandera M Cariappa in 1986. Field marshal Sam Maneskshaw was conferred this rank in recognition of his service and leadership in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. Born, 1914 in Amritsar to a Parsi family, Manekshaw was also known as 'Sam Bahadur'. After he completed his higher command course at the Imperial Defence College, Manekshaw was appointed the general officer commanding of the 26th Infantry Division. He was the first Indian field marshal, which is the highest rank in the Indian Army. His extraordinary leadership in the Indo-Pak war led to the creation of Bangladesh, in which his strategic brilliance proved instrumental for India's victory. In 1968, Manekshaw was awarded Padma Bhushan, the third highest civillian honour for his response to the Nagalan and Mizoram insurgencies. In 2008 he died due to a progressive lung disease. The first Indian commander-in-chief of the Indian Army was field marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa was the first Indian commander-in-chief and assumed position in 1949. While he is credited with many firsts, he had an instrumental role in the transition of the Indian military from colonial to independent India. Born into a family of farmers in Coorg province, his family called him 'Chimma'. After independence, Cariappa took the role of deputy chief of general staff and organised three successive attacks. The attacks were aimed at reclaiming the strategic areas of Naushera, Jhangar, Poonch, Zoji La, Dras, and Kargil. Cariappa was the first Indian officer to attend the Staff College, Quetta, and was later commanded the 1/7 Rajputs, making him the first Indian to lead a battalion. His career of three decades came to an end when he passed away on May 15, 1993.
