On June 12, 2025, India mourned the loss of Vijay Rupani, the former Chief Minister of Gujarat. He died in a tragic Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad airport. The flight, AI-171, was going to London. It crashed minutes after takeoff, killing 241 of the 242 people on board. Vijay Rupani was among them. His death shocked the nation. People remembered him as a simple and dedicated leader. This article tells the story of his life, from his early days to his rise in politics and his sad end.
Early Life And Family
Vijay Ramniklal Rupani was born on August 2, 1956, in Rangoon, Burma (now Yangon, Myanmar). He was the youngest of seven siblings in a Jain Bania family. His father, Ramniklal Rupani, was a businessman. Life in Burma was not easy for the family. They moved to India when Vijay was young. They settled in Rajkot, Gujarat. This city became his home and shaped his future.
Vijay grew up in a simple household. His family valued hard work and discipline. He studied at Dharmendrasinhji College in Rajkot. He later earned a law degree from Saurashtra University. During his college days, he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The RSS taught him values like service and patriotism. These ideas guided him throughout his life.
Vijay married Anjali Rupani, who was also active in the RSS. Her father was a senior RSS worker. The couple met during election campaigns. They had two children: a son named Rushabh and a daughter named Radhika. Radhika is married to Nitin Mishra. Anjali was involved in the BJP’s Mahila Morcha, a women’s group. The family lived a simple life in Rajkot. Vijay was known as a friendly neighbor who helped everyone.
Early Political Journey
Vijay Rupani’s political career started early. In college, he joined the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the RSS. He became the General Secretary of the student body at Dharmendrasinhji College. He was active in the Jayaprakash Narayan Movement in the 1970s. This movement fought against corruption in the government. During the Emergency in 1976, Vijay was jailed for a year under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA). He was held in Bhavnagar and Bhuj jails. This showed his courage and commitment to his beliefs.
In 1981, Vijay joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the age of 24. He started as a local worker in Rajkot. He worked hard and earned respect. In 1987, he became a corporator in the Rajkot Municipal Corporation. He served as Mayor of Rajkot from 1996 to 1997. People liked his simple style and dedication. He made Rajkot cleaner and better during his time as Mayor.
Vijay Rupani Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Wife, Daughter, Family
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Vijay Ramniklal Rupani |
| Date of Birth | 2 August 1956 |
| Place of Birth | Rangoon (now Yangon), Burma (Myanmar) |
| Date of Death | 12 June 2025 |
| Place of Death | Ahmedabad, India (Air India Flight 171 crash) |
| Family Background | Jain Bania family; father Rasiklal Rupani, a grain merchant |
| Moved to India | 1960, settled in Rajkot, Gujarat |
| Education | B.A. from Dharmendrasinhji Arts College; LLB from Saurashtra University |
| Early Political Involvement | Joined ABVP, RSS, and Jan Sangh; active in student politics |
| Imprisonment | Jailed for one year during Emergency (1975) |
| Entry into Public Service | Elected corporator, Rajkot Municipal Corporation (1987) |
| Mayor of Rajkot | 1996–1997 |
| Chairman, Gujarat Tourism | 2006 |
| Rajya Sabha Member | 2006–2012 |
| Gujarat BJP General Secretary | Four terms |
| Gujarat Legislative Assembly | Elected from Rajkot West (2014) |
| Cabinet Minister (Gujarat) | Transport, Water Supply, Labour, Employment (2014) |
| BJP Gujarat President | Feb 2016 – Aug 2016 |
| Chief Minister of Gujarat | 7 August 2016 – 11 September 2021 |
| Key Initiatives as CM | Industrial Policy 2020, tribal welfare, post-COVID recovery |
| Known For | Composed demeanour, firm administrative style, strong Saurashtra influence |
| Party | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
| Legacy | Led BJP to 2017 state victory, transformed Rajkot, pivotal in Gujarat's development |
Rise in State Politics
Vijay Rupani’s hard work helped him grow in the BJP. He held many important roles. He was the General Secretary and spokesperson of the Gujarat BJP. In 2006, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha, India’s upper house of Parliament. He served there until 2012. During this time, he learned about national politics. He also built a strong bond with Narendra Modi, who was then Gujarat’s Chief Minister.
In 2014, Vijay won the Gujarat Assembly election from Rajkot West. He became a cabinet minister in the Gujarat government. He handled important areas like transport, water supply, and labor. His work was appreciated by many. In 2016, Anandiben Patel resigned as Chief Minister. Vijay Rupani was chosen to replace her. On August 7, 2016, he became the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Time as Chief Minister
Vijay Rupani served as Gujarat’s Chief Minister from August 2016 to September 2021. He led the state for two terms. His time as CM was marked by development projects. He focused on industries, roads, and water supply. He played a big role in building the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue, near the Sardar Sarovar Dam. The statue was inaugurated in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It became a symbol of Gujarat’s progress.
Rupani was known for his calm and simple style. He removed the red beacon from his official car. This showed he did not want special treatment. He also told police not to stop traffic for his convoy. People called him “Vijaybhai,” a friendly name that showed his connection with them. He worked to make Gujarat strong after the COVID-19 pandemic. He supported small businesses and farmers.
In 2021, the BJP decided to make changes before the 2022 Gujarat Assembly elections. Vijay Rupani resigned as Chief Minister on September 11, 2021. He stepped down within hours of being asked by the party. Bhupendra Patel became the new Chief Minister. Rupani accepted the decision with grace. He said he was a loyal party worker and would serve in any role.
Work After Chief Minister
After resigning, Vijay Rupani stayed active in the BJP. He became the party’s in-charge for Punjab. He worked to strengthen the BJP in Punjab for elections. He also helped with bypolls in Gujarat. Despite not being Chief Minister, he remained popular in Rajkot. People remembered him for projects like the Rajkot airport and AIIMS hospital. He was always ready to help his neighbors and party workers.
Rupani had a special love for the number 1206. He believed it was his lucky number. All his vehicles had the number 1206 on their registration plates. Sadly, this number was linked to his tragic end. He died on June 12, a date that matched his lucky number.
The Tragic Incident
On June 12, 2025, Vijay Rupani boarded Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad. He was going to London to visit his family. His wife, Anjali, was already there. She planned to return with him later that month. The flight took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Minutes later, it crashed near the airport. Only one person survived. Vijay Rupani was among the 241 victims.
His body was identified through DNA testing at the crash site. The news spread quickly. People in Rajkot and Gujarat were heartbroken. A false video of charred remains went viral, claiming it was Rupani. But it was an old image of an Egyptian mummy, not related to the crash. His family received his remains on June 16, 2025, from Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.
Final Farewell
Vijay Rupani’s last rites were held on June 16, 2025, in Rajkot. The funeral was at Ramnathpara crematorium. It was done with full state honors. His son, Rushabh, performed the last rites. A 21-gun salute was given to honor him. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel attended. Thousands of people joined the funeral procession. Markets in Rajkot closed for half a day to show respect.
Leaders across India shared their grief. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Rupani a close friend. He said their bond went back to their early days in the BJP. Modi praised Rupani’s work for Gujarat. Other leaders like Amit Shah, BJP MP Sambit Patra, and former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh also paid tribute. They called his death a big loss for Indian politics.
Legacy and Impact
Vijay Rupani was loved for his simplicity. He lived like an ordinary person despite being a big leader. His neighbor, Sanjay Mehta, said, “Vijaybhai was kind and always ready to help.” Rupani’s work in Rajkot, like building the airport and hospitals, changed the city. He was a strong leader in Saurashtra, helping the BJP win many elections.
His time in politics was not without challenges. Some criticized the BJP’s decision to replace him in 2021. But Rupani never complained. He stayed loyal to the party. His jail time during the Emergency showed his bravery. His work with the RSS and ABVP shaped his values. He believed in serving the people and the nation.
Conclusion
Vijay Rupani’s life was a story of hard work and dedication. Born in Burma, he made Rajkot his home. He rose from a student leader to Gujarat’s Chief Minister. His simple lifestyle and love for people made him special. He worked with Narendra Modi to build a strong Gujarat. Projects like the Statue of Unity and Rajkot airport are part of his legacy.
The plane crash on June 12, 2025, ended his life too soon. He was 68 years old. His death left a void in Gujarat and the BJP. Thousands came to his funeral to say goodbye. Leaders and common people remembered him as a kind and honest leader. Vijay Rupani’s story teaches us about service, humility, and loyalty. His memory will live on in the hearts of many.-