He is best known for his role in promoting democratic decentralization and establishing Panchayati Raj institutions in India.
The recently released movie Sky Force, starring Akshay Kumar, Veer Pahariya, and Sara Ali Khan, takes us back to the intense Indo-Pak war of 1965. While the film reminds audiences of the brutal conflict that claimed thousands of lives, it also fills them with pride over India’s decisive victory. Viewers leaving the theaters can be heard chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram”, deeply moved by the patriotic spirit of the film. But did you know that this very war led to the tragic death of a sitting Indian Chief Minister?
On September 19, 1965, while the war was at its peak, Gujarat’s then Chief Minister, Balwantrai Gopalji Mehta, was traveling in a helicopter along with seven others. As their aircraft approached the Indo-Pak border in the Rann of Kutch, it was mistakenly shot down by the Pakistani Air Force, which assumed it was an Indian reconnaissance mission.
The attack resulted in the deaths of CM Mehta, his wife Sarojben, three staff members, a journalist, and two crew members. That day, Mehta had stopped at Mithapur before heading toward the Kutch border. Shortly after taking off, the helicopter was intercepted by a Pakistani fighter pilot, Qais Hussain, who was just 25 years old at the time. As per reports by India Today, Hussain circled the aircraft, waiting for instructions from Pakistani ground control. Upon spotting the fighter jet, the Indian aircraft waggled its wings—a common distress signal—pleading to be spared. However, after receiving clearance from his superiors, Hussain fired two rounds at the chopper. Within moments, the aircraft burst into flames and crashed, killing everyone on board.
About Balwantrai Mehta
Balwantrai Gopalji Mehta was born on February 19, 1899, in Bhavnagar district, now part of Gujarat. While details about his early education remain scarce, he attended Samaldas College in Bhavnagar and later pursued a bachelor’s degree at Gujarat College in Ahmedabad.
Recognized as the “Architect of Panchayati Raj” in India, Mehta served as the second Chief Minister of Gujarat. He was also a dedicated freedom fighter who actively participated in the Indian independence movement. In 1920, he joined Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement, and during the Quit India Movement in 1942, he was imprisoned for three years by the British.
Years after independence, in 1963, Balwantrai Mehta was sworn in as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, playing a crucial role in the state’s governance and rural development.
Mehta was a member of the Saurashtra Legislative Assembly between 1949-52. He was Deputy Chief Minister between 1948-50. He was also an elected member of the First Lok Sabha between 1952-57.
Balwantrai Mehta is best known for his role in promoting democratic decentralization and establishing Panchayati Raj institutions in India. In 1957, he led a Central Committee tasked with evaluating the effectiveness of Community Development Projects and the National Extension Service—both government initiatives aimed at addressing issues at the grassroots level. His recommendations laid the foundation for India’s three-tier Panchayati Raj system, empowering local self-governance.
