CPI Stalwart R Nallakannu Passes Away at 101, Leaving a Legacy of Ideological Commitment
R Nallakannu, a towering figure in the Communist Party of India (CPI) in Tamil Nadu, died in Chennai on Wednesday at the age of 101. His life, spanning a century, was marked by unwavering ideological discipline, austere living, and a deep commitment to social justice, earning him the affectionate moniker 'Thozhar RNK' from millions.
Early Life and Entry into the Freedom Struggle
Born in 1925 in Srivaikundam, Tuticorin, as the third of ten children in a wealthy landlord family, Nallakannu was drawn to the freedom movement as a teenager. Influenced by the works of Karl Marx and Engels, introduced to him by freedom fighter 'Annachi' Shanmugam and schoolteacher Palavesham Chettiar, he joined the CPI in the mid-1940s. He actively organized agitations for farmers and salt pan workers in Tuticorin, facing frequent detentions and police action.
Arrests and Custodial Torture
Nallakannu was among the few leaders arrested both by the British before 1947 and by Indian authorities after independence. In 1949, during a period when the CPI was banned in India, he suffered custodial torture, including an incident where a police officer singed his mustache with a cigarette, leading him to stop sporting one thereafter. His associates recall his disciplined jail routines, which included early rising, extensive reading of works by Lenin and Stalin, and political discussions.
Grassroots Leadership and Social Advocacy
Over the decades, Nallakannu became a prominent voice for the Left in Tamil Nadu and beyond. He championed labor issues, fought for farmers' rights, and waged relentless campaigns against caste atrocities. A passionate environmentalist, he led efforts to conserve rivers, notably the Thamirabarani, campaigning against illegal sand mining and legally challenging a soft drinks unit from drawing water from the river.
A Life of Frugality and Principled Politics
Frugality was central to Nallakannu's identity. He lived modestly, often seen in a dhoti and half-sleeved white shirt with a pen tucked in his pocket, maintaining minimal personal possessions. He was meticulous with party funds, keeping accounts down to the last rupee. His simplicity earned praise across political spectrums, with DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi describing him as "a man whose life itself is a lesson in simplicity and commitment," and former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa acknowledging him as a leader of conviction.
Later Years and Electoral Defeats
Well into his 90s, Nallakannu remained active, attending protests and addressing gatherings on issues like agrarian distress and federal rights. Despite contesting two assembly elections and one Lok Sabha election without success, he remained unfazed, attributing defeats to multiple factors and emphasizing that electoral losses did not deter him or his comrades, stating, "Because we are communists." In his later years, he expressed concern about the Left's diminishing support base but affirmed the enduring relevance of Left ideology.
Personal Life and Legacy
Nallakannu married Ranjitham Ammal in 1958, who shared his ideological leanings and passed away in 2016. His death marks the end of an era for a generation of leaders shaped by the freedom struggle. Chief Minister M K Stalin hailed him as "a guiding light of principled politics," underscoring his impact on Tamil Nadu's political landscape, where he stood as a beacon of integrity amidst Dravidian majorities.
