A freedom fighter and communist leader, R Nallakannu died in Chennai on 25 February at a government hospital where he had been treated for age-related ailments. He was 101.
According to the Madras Medical College–Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital bulletin, “Over the past 24 days of treatment, Nallakannu’s condition showed fluctuations. Despite being under advanced intensive care, all his vital organs eventually failed. He gradually became unresponsive to medicines and his condition rapidly deteriorated. With profound sorrow, we inform you that Mr Nallakannu passed away at 1.55 pm on February 25.”
PM Narendra Modi, in his condolence message, said, “Thiru R. Nallakannu will be remembered for his grassroots connect and efforts to give voice to the underprivileged, workers and farmers. He was widely respected by people from every section of society. Equally noteworthy was his simplicity. My thoughts are with his family and admirers.”
Thiru R. Nallakannu will be remembered for his grassroots connect and efforts to give voice to the underprivileged, workers and farmers. He was widely respected by people from every section of society. Equally noteworthy was his simplicity. My thoughts are with his family and…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 25, 2026
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin heaped praise on Nallakannu as an uncompromising fighter who slogged for the freedom of the nation. The CPI leader had always remained firm in the belief that the Communist and the Dravidian ideologies were comrades that must function as a double-barrelled gun for social change. Former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi honoured Nallakannu by presenting him the Ambedkar Award. It was my great fortune to have the opportunity to confer the ‘Thagaisal Thamizhar’ (Distinguished Tamil) Award on the comrade on behalf of our Dravidian model government.
Born on December 26, 1925, in Perumpathu village near Srivaikundam in Thoothukudi district, young Nallakannu, at a tender age, had seen poverty and exploitation firsthand. Later drawn to Marxist ideals, he joined the CPI in 1946 at the age of 15, when India was still under colonial rule. He raised his voice in support of farmers and agricultural workers. He actively participated in various struggles and was on the ground attending public meetings until old age confined him to his home as he turned 100.
Nallakannu was very concerned about the environment; he even opposed projects like the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. He served as the Tamil Nadu State Secretary of the CPI for several years and was respected for his simple lifestyle and commitment to Marxism. He lived a life underground for many years during British rule and later during the Congress regime.
His notable contributions included sustained campaigns on inter-state river water disputes, particularly the Cauvery issue, where he consistently advocated equitable water sharing for Tamil Nadu’s farmers.
Nallakannu was also vocal against sand mining along the Thamirabarani river and sought a judicial ban on sand extraction from the river for five years. In 2010, he filed a PIL in the matter and argued in person at the Madras High Court.
Unlike many communists who exploit party funds, he returned a gift of a car and Rs 1 crore in financial aid presented by party cadres returning both on stage, insisting that the gift belonged to the people, not him. When the TN (DMK) government honoured him with the ‘Thagaisaal Tamizhar’ award in 2022, along with Rs 15 lakh, he returned the amount and added Rs 5,000 of his own to the Chief Minister’s relief fund.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Supporter of pay last respects to veteran CPI leader R. Nallakannu at CPI Head Office in T Nagar, Chennai.
Nallakannu, one of the senior-most leaders of the Communist movement in Tamil Nadu, passed away at the age of 101 at the Rajiv Gandhi Government… pic.twitter.com/itWTVt0loN
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2026
In 1948, he was arrested and jailed for seven years in connection with the Nellai conspiracy case, during which he suffered brutal torture. In 1949, Nallakannu was sentenced to life imprisonment for allegedly conspiring to bring down Jawaharlal Nehru’s government, which is infamously known as the Nellai conspiracy case. He was lodged in Madurai Central Prison, where he fought for the rights of prisoners.
TN BJP Chief Nainar Nagendran and other senior BJP functionaries paid homage to the departed leader. Leaders of NDA allies, DMK and its allies, TVK leader Joseph Vijay, besides a large number of party cadres, thronged to get a last glimpse.
இந்திய கம்யூனிஸ்ட் கட்சியின் மூத்த தலைவர்களுள் ஒருவரான ஐயா திரு. நல்லக்கண்ணு அவர்கள், உடல்நலக்குறைவு காரணமாக தமது 101-வது வயதில் இயற்கை எய்தினார் அவர் உடலுக்கு ராஜீவ் காந்தி அரசு மருத்துவமனையில் மலர் மாலை அணிவித்து மரியாதை செலுத்தினேன்.
உடன் மத்திய இணை அமைச்சர் மாண்புமிகு… pic.twitter.com/ErpqdBMcgt
— Nainar Nagenthran (@NainarBJP) February 25, 2026
Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai, in his condolence message, said, “Nallakannu was renowned as an exemplary social reformer and an extremely humble leader. Transcending party lines, he earned the respect of people from all walks of life.”
