Late Freedom Fighter Bhai Chhannusingh Chandele (Bhaiji)
Great freedom fighter Bhai Chhannusingh Chandele alias Bhaiji was born on 6th August 1906. From the beginning he had a soft corner towards the needy people and social related issues. He always took initiatives to help the people who were facing injustice. Bhaiji supported and helped in strike of mill workers, when he was just 12 years old. He was attracted towards independence movement at very young age. He used to read the books which were banned by British officials. In 1920 National Conference was held in Solapur. Bhaiji was impressed by the speeches in conference and he started propaganda against goods from foreign. Because of divide and rule policy of British, Solapur was experiencing tense between Hindus and Muslims. The riots were also taken place.
At the age of 18- 19 Bhaiji called the meeting of Hindu and Muslims and he tried for maintaining the peace and got succeeded. At the age of 21 Bhaiji actively participated in youth – league movement and he became member of National Congress. He started awareness in youths regarding freedom movement. In May 1930 British arrested Mahatma Gandhi and the reaction was taken place in Solapur also. Mill workers started strike. On 8th May 1930, the people from Solapur took a big procession. Angry people ablaze police station and session court. From 8th May 1930, Solapur was the only city in our country that had enjoyed freedom for 3 days before the Independence Day 1947. Tricolor was hoisted on Nagarpalika. British declared Marshall Law in Solapur immediately. British hanged Freedom Fighters Jagannath Shinde, Kurban Hussain, Malappa Dhanshetti and Sri Kishan Sarda. Bhaiji was sentenced for 7 years and sent to Bijapur jail because of participation in agitation.
In prison Bhaiji came in contact with renowned freedom fighters like Nariman Munshi, Dr. Jivraj Mehta, Umashankar Dixit, Mataprasad Mishra, Soli Batliwala etc.Bhaiji escaped to Hyderabad ststeoe he would have made him fifth Martyr of Solapur. Discussions among these freedom fighters helped Bhaiji a lot.It developed his vision and accordingly he planned many actions for freedom movement. His wife and father died in 1933 and 1936 respectively.
In 1936 Bhaiji was released from jail. He started organization of farmers with name of Kissan Morcha in Solapur District. He also started unionism of milk workers, beedi workers. He started agitation for releasing the political leaders from jail and was again arrested by British. During the conviction period he started hunger strike against the British, who used to beat the peoples in jail. The then president of Congress Subhashchandra Bose came to Pune and because of the intervention of the leaders the orders were passed to stop beating the political leaders in jail. During this period his house and properties were seized by the British Government which left his children without shelter.
During the period of Second World War Bhaiji was again arrested and sent to Nashik jail. In 1942 he was released. Mahatma Gandhi has started quit India Movement. Because of the active participation in movement Bhaiji was again arrested by British. He was sent to Yerwada jail, Pune and was kept in an isolated cell in “Danda Bedi” with harsh punishments. This cell was also called as “Phansigate “The freedom movement was at the peak. Bhaiji was so disturbed and made plan and took lead to run away with other 3 freedom fighters Kisan Veer, M.D. Vibhute, Pandu Master and Baldev Prasad Gupta in the shower of bullets by Britishers from Yerwada jail and he succeeds which is historical escape from strict British surveillance. After 4 months he was again arrested. After nearly a year in his isolated cell, Mridula Ben Sarabhai with advice of Mahatma Gandhiji met Bhaiji and gave him Rs.1500 and helped him move to a normal prison. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel came personally to jail to agree him for contesting Solapur Assembly elections .In the year 1945 he started work of INTUC. He also started Union for workers from sugar factory. In the year 1946 Congress nominated him for Assembly Election. He won the election with great margin. In 1949 he became president of INTUC. He continued the tenure up to 1962.
As a trade union leader, he made his great contribution. In the year 1948 Solapur spinning and viewing mills was closed. Bhaiji was trying for the government should take control of the mill. Because of his continuous efforts government passed the orders of nationalization of the textile mills. It was the first experiment of such kind.
In the year 1950 Bhai Chhannusingh became president of Solapur district Congress. He was honored to hoist the First Tricolor after Independence in front of collector office on 15 August 1947. In 1953 Solapur experienced draught situation. Bhaiji made arrangement in such a way that there was no scope for the people complaint. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited Solapur and he appreciated the efforts of Bhaiji. During 1953 to 1957 the leaders of opposition started United Maharashtra movement. The people have supported the movement and they boycotted Congress leaders except Solapur because of the leadership of Bhaiji. In the Assembly election of 1957, because of the efforts and hard work of Bhaiji Congress candidates again won the election. He also played very crucial role in Marathwada Liberation Day (Hyderabad Mukati Sangram,17th Sept) was started on 13th Sept 1947.Bhaiji was entrusted by Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel to lead police action from Naldurg side of Solapur. He courageously accomplished this task with his organizing skills. Shri.Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel acknowledge his skill and courage publicly and visited Solapur to meet him.
Bhaiji became a powerful leader in Maharashtra. He was called as Tiger of Maharashtra due to speech skills. During his visit to England as representative of India as Senior leader send by India, he was discharged as Congress District President when he was representing our country. This disappointed Bhaiji and he resigned Congress. He started work for freedom fighters and he also started organisation of freedom fighters. His efforts and continuous follow-up forced government to start various facilities for freedom fighters.
In 1965 Indiraji Gandhi became Prime Minister and Bhaiji again he was associated with Congress. Because of some illness Bhaiji lost his eyesight, but it was never affected his work. He was very active for Congress and the other people across our country India. He died in 1985. He sacrificed his whole life for the service to the country till his last breath. As a great freedom fighter, trade union leader, voice of common peoples he would never be forgotten. He gave his only dedication towards country and people of the country. The selfless work and sacrifices of Chhannusingh and his family members in the freedom struggle of our nation have been immense. Bhaiji legacy and his thoughts are continued by his son Shri.Hemusingh Chandele a social worker and Senior Congress leader along with his family members under Bhai Chhannusingh Chandele Trust and Priyadarshani Trust, Solapur.