Veteran CPI Leader R. Nallakannu Dies at 101 in Chennai

Veteran Communist Party of India (CPI) leader and revered freedom fighter R. Nallakannu passed away in Chennai on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the age of 101. His demise, following prolonged illness and age-related ailments, occurred at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, where he had been admitted since February 1. Hospital authorities confirmed that he succumbed to multi-organ failure. Nallakannu, affectionately known as 'Comrade RNK' or 'Ayya Nallakannu,' was a towering figure in Tamil Nadu's political and social spheres for over eight decades. Born on December 26, 1925, in Tiruvaikuntam (now in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu), he was a staunch advocate for the rights of the working class, agricultural labourers, Dalits, minorities, and environmental causes. His political consciousness was ignited during his school days, influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's ideas and later by Marxist literature. He joined the Communist Party of India in 1943, even before India gained independence. A symbol of unparalleled integrity and selfless service, Nallakannu's personal life mirrored the ideals he championed. He famously returned a sum of ₹1 crore collected by CPI supporters for his 80th birthday back to the party fund, emphasizing his belief that politics was about public service, not personal gain. He consistently lived in rented accommodation and never owned a house or a car, an extraordinary testament to his commitment to austerity in public life. His living space reportedly contained only an old wooden cot and a few books. His dedication to public welfare extended to his awards as well. When he received the Ambedkar Award, which included a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, he split the amount between the CPI and the Agricultural Labourers Union. In 2022, upon receiving the prestigious 'Thagaisal Thamizhar Virudhu' (Distinguished Tamilian Award) from the Tamil Nadu government, which came with a purse of ₹10 lakh, he added ₹5,000 from his own pocket and donated the entire sum to the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund. Nallakannu was also a freedom fighter, having been arrested and imprisoned in 1949 as part of the Nellai Conspiracy Case, a period during which he endured severe torture, including his moustache being burnt with a cigarette by the police. This painful experience led him to never grow a moustache again. He served seven years in prison before his release in 1956. Throughout his life, he remained a staunch opponent of caste discrimination, actively participating in and leading movements against it, and advocating for inter-caste marriages. He played a pivotal role in organizing farmers' movements in Tamil Nadu and served as the CPI State Secretary for 13 years, from 1992 to 2005. He led numerous state-wide agitations concerning land rights, wages, and opposition to mineral exploitation. Notably, in 2010, he argued a case in person at the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court against illegal sand mining in the Thamirabarani River, which resulted in a judicial ban on quarrying in the river. Leaders across the political spectrum, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, paid homage to Nallakannu, acknowledging his immense contributions and unwavering commitment to secular values and social justice. As per his last wish, his body will be donated to Madras Medical College for medical research, a final act of service in a life dedicated to the betterment of society. His passing marks a profound loss for the communist movement and public life in India, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, sacrifice, and relentless struggle for the downtrodden.

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