Veteran CPI leader R Nallakannu, freedom fighter and 101, passed away in Chennai. He is survived by daughters Andal and Kasi Bharathi; wife Ranjitham Ammal died in 2016.
Veteran CPI leader R Nallakannu, freedom fighter and 101, passed away in Chennai [Photo: X]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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's full name was Ramasamy Nallakannu.
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 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.
SSLC from Coronation School, Srivaikuntam.
Intermediate course at MDT Hindu College, Tirunelveli (not completed)
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
