A Century of Struggle: CPI Veteran R Nallakannu Passes Away at 101

Veteran Communist Party of India leader R Nallakannu passed away on the February 25 2026, at the age of 101 in Chennai. He had been admitted to the ICU at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital since February 1 due to age related ailments. With his passing, Tamil Nadu lost one of its last towering centenarian communist leaders. For nearly eight decades, R Nallakannu stood as a symbol of integrity, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to the oppressed.

R Nallakannu – A Life Dedicated to Struggle

• R. Nallakannu, affectionately known as Comrade RNK, was a senior leader of the Communist Party of India (CPI).
• Born on December 26, 1925, in Perumpathu village near Srivaikundam in Thoothukudi district, he witnessed poverty and exploitation firsthand.
• Drawn to Marxist ideology, he joined CPI in 1946, when India was still under British rule.
• Politics, for him was never about personal ambition.
• It was a lifelong mission to organize and mobilize the oppressed masses.

Arrest, Jail and the Nellai Conspiracy Case

• R Nallakannu’s activism brought him into direct confrontation with authorities.
• In 1948, he was arrested in connection with the Nellai conspiracy case and jailed for seven years.
• During imprisonment, he endured severe torture. In one cruel incident, a policeman burnt his moustache with a cigarette after which he never grew it again.
• Despite hardships, his resolve only strengthened. His prison years became a defining chapter in his political journey.

Champion of Farmers and Environmental Causes

Throughout his career, R Nallakannu remained deeply connected to grassroots struggles.

His major areas of activism included,

• Farmers rights and agrarian reforms
• Welfare of agricultural labourers
• Opposition to illegal sand mining in Tamil Nadu
• Environmental advocacy, including raising concerns over the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant

For 25 years, he led farmers’ unions and built strong grassroots networks across Tamil Nadu. Even in his later years, he remained active until age confined him at home.

Leadership in CPI and Tamil Nadu Politics

R Nallakannu served as state secretary of CPI for 13 years, strengthening the party’s influence in Tamil Nadu politics.

Under his leadership,

• CPI expanded its base among workers and peasants
• Alliances were forged with progressive political forces
• Social justice and labour rights became central political issues

After the passing of CPM veteran N Sankaraiah in 2023, Nallakannu had been the last centenarian communist leader in the state.

Personal Integrity and Simple Living

Perhaps what defined R Nallakannu most was his integrity.

Notable examples,

• On his 80th birthday, he returned a car and ₹1 crore gifted by party cadres.
• In 2022, after receiving the ‘Thagaisaal Tamizhar’ award with ₹15 lakh, he returned the amount and added ₹5,000 of his own to the Chief Minister’s relief fund.
• He lived modestly despite decades in public life, earning admiration across political lines.

Awards and Recognition

R Nallakannu’s contributions were widely acknowledged.

He received,

• Ambedkar Award (2008)
• Thagaisaal Tamizhar Award (2023)

These honours recognized his lifelong service to social justice, agrarian reform and progressive politics.

Question

Q. R Nallakannu was associated with which political party?

A) DMK
B) AIADMK
C) Communist Party of India
D) Congress