Chennai, India chakravif@gmail.com +919962716812

Kashinathrao Vinayakrao Khadke

(1910 – 2004) – (Maharashtra)

Kashinathrao Vinayakrao Khadke (Aged 94), also known as Lalaji Khadke, was a prominent freedom fighter hailing from Latur District, Maharashtra, India. He was born in the year 1910 and spent the majority of his life at his maternal home. In addition to his contributions to the freedom struggle, he was a renowned singer of Hindustani classical music.

During this period, Udgir served as a focal point for numerous freedom fighters associated with the Arya Samaj movement, including figures like Shamlal Arya, Shankarrao Tompe, Laxman Sonkamble, and Laxman Mistri, among others. Kashinathrao Khadke actively participated in the struggle for freedom as part of the Arya Samaj movement, specifically in the Hyderabad Mukti Sangram Movement. In 1938-39, he attended the Arya Samaj Adhivation in Solapur, which was led by Loknayak. Inspired by this event, he joined the Arya Samaj Satyagraha, which was under the leadership of Mahatma Narayan Swami and Chand Karan Shard, and featured the participation of many satyagrahis from Sind and Punjab.

His commitment to the cause led to his arrest in 1939 at Gunjoti, Omerga, and subsequently, he was tried in the Naldurg Adalat of Nizam. He was sentenced to one year of imprisonment and sent to the Central Prison. Kashinathrao Khadke passed away on the 6th of February 2004 at the age of 94. Remarkably, his wife, Sinabai Kashinathrao Khadke, is still alive at 100 years of age.