Veteran Communist Party of India (CPI) leader R Nallakannu, a towering figure in Tamil Nadu’s political and social activism for over eight decades, passed away in Chennai on Wednesday at the age of 101.
Known for his lifelong dedication to workers’ and farmers’ rights, Nallakannu breathed his last after prolonged illness and multi‑organ failure at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, where he had been receiving intensive care for nearly a month.
His death marked the end of an era for the Left movement in the state, drawing tributes from across the political spectrum and promises of full state honours at his funeral.
Who Was R Nallakannu?
R Nallakannu was one of India’s most respected Communist leaders, especially in Tamil Nadu, where he played a central role in organising workers, farmers, and marginalised communities.
Born on December 26, 1925, in Tiruvaikuntam in Thoothukudi district, he joined the Communist movement as a teenager and spent most of his life advocating for social justice, workers’ rights, and agrarian reforms.
R Nallakannu Death News
On February 25, 2026, Nallakannu passed away around 1:55 PM at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai following a decline in health after nearly 24 days of intensive care. His death was officially confirmed by hospital authorities and reported by multiple media outlets.
R Nallakannu Cause of Death
The veteran leader succumbed to multi‑organ failure after a prolonged period of illness and age‑related complications. Admitted to the ICU on February 1, his condition fluctuated despite intensive care by a multidisciplinary medical team; ultimately, all vital organs failed, leading to his death.
R Nallakannu Net Worth
Unlike many contemporary politicians, Nallakannu lived a humble life with no known personal wealth. Reports describe him as a leader who never owned luxury assets and lived modestly even during his long public service career. His personal integrity and focus on public welfare set him apart in political circles.
R Nallakannu Age
R Nallakannu was 101 years old at the time of his death. Born in 1925, he witnessed and participated in India’s freedom struggle and post‑independence political movements, making him one of the oldest active political figures in the state.
R Nallakannu Full Name
R Nallakannu’s full name was Ramasamy Nallakannu.
R Nallakannu Wife
R Nallakannu was married to Ranjitham Ammal, a retired school headmistress from Srivaikuntam in Tuticorin district. She dedicated her life to education and played a supportive role in Nallakannu’s political journey.
Ranjitham Ammal passed away in 2016, leaving behind a legacy of service alongside her husband. She was remembered for her simplicity, discipline, and contribution to both her family and the community.
R Nallakannu Children
R Nallakannu is survived by two daughters, Andal and Kasi Bharathi. Andal is a doctor, while Kasi Bharathi works as a teacher. The veteran CPI leader was known for his simple lifestyle and strong family values, living with his family in Chennai.
Despite his long political career and public life, he maintained close bonds with his daughters, who carried forward his legacy of service and education. His family has often been described as private and grounded, reflecting the humble and dedicated life Nallakannu led.
R Nallakannu Education
SSLC from Coronation School, Srivaikuntam.
Intermediate course at MDT Hindu College, Tirunelveli (not completed)
R Nallakannu Party
Nallakannu was a senior leader of the Communist Party of India (CPI), one of India’s oldest political parties dedicated to socialist and workers’ rights causes. He became a key figure in Tamil Nadu’s CPI organisation and national leftist politics.
R Nallakannu Position
He served as the State Secretary of the CPI in Tamil Nadu, leading the party’s efforts on labour, agrarian and social justice issues. Under his leadership, the CPI built strong grassroots movements supporting farmers, workers and the marginalised.
R Nallakannu Caste
R Nallakannu belonged to the Thevar community, a prominent caste in Tamil Nadu known for its historical and political influence in the region. Despite his caste background, Nallakannu’s political life was largely shaped by Communist ideologies, and he consistently worked for the welfare of the working class, farmers, and marginalized communities.
R Nallakannu Political Career
- 1943: Joined the Communist Party of India at the age of seventeen.
- 1946: Began focusing on grassroots work with farmers, playing a crucial role in farmers’ movements.
- 1949: Arrested on 20 December and implicated in the Nellai Conspiracy Case; sentenced to life imprisonment.
- 1956: Released from Madurai Central Prison after serving seven years.
- 1992: Served as the State Secretary of the Communist Party of India, Tamil Nadu.
- 1999: Contested the Lok Sabha elections from the Coimbatore constituency.
- 2007: Received the Sahayogi Puraskar and Ambedkar Award.
- 2008: Received the Gandhian award for social service and shared the Ambedkar Award cash prize.
- 2009: Received the Jeeva Award from the District Writers Association.
- 2010-2015: Successfully litigated at the Madurai High Court for a ban on sand mining in the Thamirabarani River; the court imposed a 5-year ban following his activism.
- 2022: Awarded the “Thagaisal Tamizhar” award by the Government of Tamil Nadu for lifetime service, which he famously returned to public relief funds.
- 2024: Celebrated his 100th birthday with recognition from across political lines for his decades of public work.
- 2026: Passed away at the age of 101, on 25th February 2026, bringing to an end his decades-long association with the Communist Party of India and public political engagement.
R Nallakannu as Freedom Fighter
R. Nallakannu was a veteran freedom fighter and Communist Party of India (CPI) leader who dedicated his life to India’s independence movement and social justice causes. He actively participated in struggles for workers’ rights, rural welfare, and leftist movements, advocating for equality and the upliftment of the marginalised.
Over his long political career, he became known as an uncompromising fighter for the people and a symbol of perseverance in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. Even in his later years, he remained committed to public service and the principles of the freedom struggle.
R Nallakannu Mourning
The passing of R Nallakannu has triggered widespread mourning across Tamil Nadu and the Communist Party of India (CPI). Leaders from various political parties, including CM M K Stalin, expressed deep condolences, praising him as an uncompromising fighter for the working class and a freedom activist.
Citizens and party members remembered his lifelong dedication to social justice, Dravidian and Communist ideologies, and the welfare of the marginalised. Former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and other prominent figures also paid tribute, recalling Nallakannu’s commitment to the Communist movement.
Public messages and gatherings reflect the profound respect and sorrow felt by both political circles and the general populace at his passing.
R Nallakannu Funeral
The funeral of veteran CPI leader R Nallakannu was announced with full state honours by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, reflecting the high regard in which he was held across political lines. The ceremony is expected to follow traditional rites while including official protocols befitting a leader of his stature.
CM Stalin emphasised that the Left stalwart dedicated his entire life to the welfare of the working class and social justice, making the state funeral a tribute to his decades-long public service. Condolences have poured in from political leaders, party comrades, and citizens alike, highlighting the wide respect Nallakannu commanded.
The government and CPI are expected to organise memorial proceedings to honour his contributions to Tamil Nadu politics and the Communist movement. This funeral marks the final farewell to a leader who lived as a symbol of the Communist ideology in the state.
