The funeral of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who died in an Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad last week, is being held in his hometown Rajkot. His mortal remains were handed over to his family members by the civil hospital authorities in Ahmedabad on Monday, bringing a somber end to a week of painful uncertainty.
Leaders from across the state, including the Prime Minister and current Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel, gathered to pay their last respects. The last rites will take place after a funeral procession, which began after Rupani's mortal remains arrived at the Rajkot airport, received by his wife Anjali and other family members.
The former CM's death was officially confirmed following the devastating Air India Flight 171 crash on June 12, 2025, after his remains were identified through DNA testing. Rupani, 68, was among the 241 passengers of the London-bound flight who died in the horrific crash on Thursday afternoon. As the state pays its last respects, the tragedy has put a spotlight on the life of the man who led Gujarat for 5 years.
Early life and the beginnings of political career
Though he became one of Gujarat's most prominent leaders, Vijay Rupani was born in Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar) in 1956. His family relocated to Rajkot, Gujarat, during his childhood. He became involved in politics at a young age, joining right-wing student groups and the Jan Sangh, the political party that later became the BJP. His early political activism was so strong that he was imprisoned for nearly a year during the Emergency of the 1970s.
A steady rise in politics
Rupani’s political career was built on a steady climb from local to national politics. He began by serving as a mayor at Rajkot in the mid 1990’s before rising through the ranks of the state BJP. He later represented Gujarat in Rajya Sabha, from 2006 to 2012. He then returned to state politics , winning the legislative assembly seat for Rajkot West.
Tenure as a Chief Minister
In 2016, Vijay Rupani was appointed CM of Gujarat . He successfully led the BJP to victory in the 2017 state elections and continued to serve in the role. His term was often marked by this low profile style , focused on infrastructure development, e-governance, and industry-friendly policies., though his government faced significant criticism for its handling of Covid 19 pandemic. In September 2021, he stepped down from the post , making way for his successor Bhupendra Patel.
Personal life and tragic end
Vijay Rupani was married to Anjali Rupani, a member of the BJP Mahila Morcha, the women's wing of the party. They have two children. The family has previously endured the heartbreak of losing their youngest son Pujit Rupani in an accident. Rupani was on his way to London to meet his daughter Radhika, when he boarded this ill fated flight. His death marks a tragic chapter in the state’s history, making him the second Gujarat CM to die in a plane crash after Balwantrai Mehta.
PM Modi on Rupani
PM Modi on Friday met the Rupani's family after he visited the site of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad and met the injured victims at the civil hospital.
"Met the family of Shri Vijaybhai Rupani Ji. It is unimaginable that Vijaybhai is not in our midst. I've known him for decades. We worked together, shoulder to shoulder, including during some of the most challenging times," Modi said in his posts on X.
