In Pictures: Remembering CPI leader R. Nallakannu (1924-2026)

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R. Nallakannu, the 101-year-old veteran Communist Party of India (CPI) leader and freedom fighter from Tamil Nadu, passed away at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai at 1.55 p.m. on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) following prolonged illness and age-related ailments.

Fondly known as RNK in party circles, he chose to remain with the Communist Party of India (CPI) when the Communist movement in India split in 1964 following the Indo-China war. He served as Tamil Nadu State secretary of the CPI for three tenures since 1992.

Nallakannu led a tireless campaign against the sand mafia that was illegally mining sand from the Thamirabarani river basin. In 2010, he filed a Public Interest Litigation and personally argued the case in the Madras High Court, securing a stay order against sand mining.

Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin speaks to veteran CPI leader R. Nallakannu during an event organised to celebrate the latter’s 100th birthday in Chennai on December 29, 2024.

Photo: M. Moorthy

Then CPI state secretary R. Nallakannu collecting election fund from the public at Kodambakkam in Chennai on December 9, 2003.

Photo: The Hindu Archives

Then CPI candidate for Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat R. Nallakannu campaigning in Coimbatore in 1999. During the General Election that year, he lost to BJP leader C.P. Radhakrishnan who is now the Vice-President of India

Photo: R. Ragu

Then Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president E.V.K.S. Elangovan and CPI Leader R. Nallakanu share a light moment at Sathyamurthy Bhavan in Chennai on December 1, 2014.

Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

Then CPI State secretary R. Nallakannu with the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa at the Secretariat in Chennai on January 13, 2005.

Photo: R. Ashok

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader R. Nallakannu during a protest against the hike in fuel prices in Tiruchi on June 13, 2006.

Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin giving away the ‘Thagaisal Thamizhar’ award to CPI leader R. Nallakannu during the 75th Independence Day celebrations held at Chennai on August 15, 2022. Nallakannu donated the award’s cash component of ₹10 lakh to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund along with his additional contribution of ₹5,000.

Photo: The Hindu Archives

Communist Party of India leader R. Nallakannu coming out of the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court Bench on September 27, 2010 after arguing a PIL relating to sand quarrying in Thamirabarani river.

Photo: L. Balachandar

R. Nallakannu (second from right), senior leader of Communist Party of India, enquiring about the Paramakudi firing incident at Manjure village in Ramanathapuram district on August 17, 2011.

Photo: M. Moorthy

CPI leader R. Nallakannu addressing during a relay fast demanding a service road along Tiruchi-Thanjavur highway in Tiruchi on July 20, 2017.

Photo: The Hindu Archives

R. Nallakannu, CPI leader, listening to farmers and residents at a sand quarry on the banks of the Coleroon near Anbil in Tiruchi district on August 26, 2011.

Photo: The Hindu Archives

Communist Party of India leader R. Nallakannu addressing the members of the Vijaya Hospital Nurses' Union during their protest in Chennai June 3, 2012

Photo: The Hindu Archives

CPI leaders T. Pandian (left) and R. Nallakannu (right) at the State conference against caste clashes, at Salem in Tamil Nadu on January 8, 2013.

Photo: S. Krishnamoorthy

R. Nallakannu, senior CPI leader at Madurai on March 12, 2015.

Photo: The Hindu Archives

R. Nallakannu with former BJP state president La. Ganesan on December 20, 2014

Photo: S.S. Kumar

CPI leader R. Nallakannu addressing at a protest demonstration against the US policies, during U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to India, near Panagal building in Chennai on November 8, 2010.

Photo: M. Srinath

R. Nallakannu, leader of Communist Party of India (CPI), looking at the damaged paddy in the rain-affected areas at Arasur in Thanjavur district on December 5, 2010.

Photo: G. Karthikeyan

CPI(M) leader N. Sankaraiah (right) addressing State-level conference of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) in Dindigul on December 31, 2015, in the presence of veteran CPI leader R. Nallakannu.

Photo: R. Ragu

PMK founder S. Ramadoss (centre) with CPI leader R. Nallakannu (left) and Viduthlai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol. Thirumavalavan at a function in Chennai on April 27, 2008.

Photo: The Hindu Archives

MDMK general secretary Vaiko (left) and CPI leader R. Nallakannu at a book release function in Chennai on May 2, 2008

Photo: The Hindu Archives

CPI leader R. Nallakannu during an all party meeting at the Secretariat in Chennai on the extensive damages caused to coastal areas of Tamil Nadu by tsunami, on January 7, 2005.

Photo: The Hindu Archives

Then DMK president M. Karunanidhi greeting R. Nallakannu and his wife Ranjitham Nallakannu during the CPI leader’s 80th birthday celebration in Chennai on October 18, 2005.

Photo: The Hindu Archives

Senior CPI leader S. Sudhakar Reddy inaugurating the party office at T. Nagar in Chennai on April 9, 2006. Communist leaders D. Pandian (left), D. Raja (third right) and R. Nallakannu (second right) are also present. Mr. Reddy passed away recently at Hyderabad on August 22, 2025.

Photo: N. Bashkaran

CPI leader R. Nallakannu joins with party cadres during a `human chain' rally demanding the implementation of the Hogenakkal Water Supply scheme in Dharmapuri on July 18, 2006.

Photo: N. Rajesh

CPI leader R. Nallakannu addressing during an indefinite fast organised by the Tamirabarani River Water Protection Federation, in Thoothukudi on September 13, 2011.