Veteran CPI leader R Nallakannu passes away

CHENNAI: Veteran CPI leader and freedom fighter R Nallakannu (101) passed away on Wednesday due to age-related illnesses. He breathed his last around noon. He was popularly known as “Comrade RNK”.

Nallakannu was a strong pillar of the communist movement in Tamil Nadu. He served as the CPI Tamil Nadu State Secretary for 13 years from 1992 to 2005. He had fought for several public and farmers' issues during his political life that spanned over 80 years. Nallakannu played a key role in building farmers’ movements in Tamil Nadu and helped lay the foundation of the Kisan Sabha along with Srinivas Rao. He also led padayatras against caste clashes in southern Tamil Nadu.

R Nallakannu was born in 1924 at Srivaikuntam in the Thoothukudi district. He was honoured with awards, including the Thagaisal Thamizhar Award and the Ambedkar Award.