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

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R. Nallakannu, the 101-year-old seasoned Communist Party of India (CPI) person and state combatant from Tamil Nadu, passed distant astatine Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital successful Chennai astatine 1.55 p.m. connected Wednesday (February 25, 2026) pursuing prolonged unwellness and age-related ailments.

Fondly known arsenic RNK successful enactment circles, helium chose to stay with the Communist Party of India (CPI) erstwhile the Communist question successful India divided successful 1964 pursuing the Indo-China war. He served arsenic Tamil Nadu State caput of the CPI for 3 tenures since 1992.

Nallakannu led a tireless run against the soil mafia that was illegally mining soil from the Thamirabarani stream basin. In 2010, helium filed a Public Interest Litigation and personally argued the lawsuit successful the Madras High Court, securing a enactment bid against soil mining.

Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin speaks to seasoned CPI person R. Nallakannu during an lawsuit organised to observe the latter’s 100th day successful Chennai connected December 29, 2024.

Photo: M. Moorthy

Then CPI authorities caput R. Nallakannu collecting predetermination money from the nationalist astatine Kodambakkam successful Chennai connected December 9, 2003.

Photo: The Hindu Archives

Then CPI campaigner for Coimbatore Lok Sabha spot R. Nallakannu campaigning successful Coimbatore successful 1999. During the General Election that year, helium mislaid to BJP person C.P. Radhakrishnan who is present the Vice-President of India

Photo: R. Ragu

Then Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president E.V.K.S. Elangovan and CPI Leader R. Nallakanu stock a airy infinitesimal astatine Sathyamurthy Bhavan successful Chennai connected December 1, 2014.

Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

Then CPI State caput R. Nallakannu with the past Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa astatine the Secretariat successful Chennai connected January 13, 2005.

Photo: R. Ashok

Communist Party of India (CPI) person R. Nallakannu during a protestation against the hike successful substance prices successful Tiruchi connected June 13, 2006.

Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin giving distant the ‘Thagaisal Thamizhar’ grant to CPI person R. Nallakannu during the 75th Independence Day celebrations held astatine Chennai connected August 15, 2022. Nallakannu donated the award’s currency constituent of ₹10 lakh to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund on with his further publication of ₹5,000.

Photo: The Hindu Archives

Communist Party of India person R. Nallakannu coming retired of the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court Bench connected September 27, 2010 aft arguing a PIL relating to soil quarrying successful Thamirabarani river.

Photo: L. Balachandar

R. Nallakannu (second from right), elder person of Communist Party of India, enquiring astir the Paramakudi firing incidental astatine Manjure colony successful Ramanathapuram territory connected August 17, 2011.

Photo: M. Moorthy

CPI person R. Nallakannu addressing during a relay accelerated demanding a work roadworthy on Tiruchi-Thanjavur road successful Tiruchi connected July 20, 2017.

Photo: The Hindu Archives

R. Nallakannu, CPI leader, listening to farmers and residents astatine a soil quarry connected the banks of the Coleroon adjacent Anbil successful Tiruchi territory connected August 26, 2011.

Photo: The Hindu Archives

Communist Party of India person R. Nallakannu addressing the members of the Vijaya Hospital Nurses' Union during their protestation successful Chennai June 3, 2012

Photo: The Hindu Archives

CPI leaders T. Pandian (left) and R. Nallakannu (right) astatine the State league against caste clashes, astatine Salem successful Tamil Nadu connected January 8, 2013.

Photo: S. Krishnamoorthy

R. Nallakannu, elder CPI person astatine Madurai connected March 12, 2015.

Photo: The Hindu Archives

R. Nallakannu with erstwhile BJP authorities president La. Ganesan connected December 20, 2014

Photo: S.S. Kumar

CPI person R. Nallakannu addressing astatine a protestation objection against the US policies, during U.S. President Barack Obama's sojourn to India, adjacent Panagal gathering successful Chennai connected November 8, 2010.

Photo: M. Srinath

R. Nallakannu, person of Communist Party of India (CPI), looking astatine the damaged paddy successful the rain-affected areas astatine Arasur successful Thanjavur territory connected December 5, 2010.

Photo: G. Karthikeyan

CPI(M) person N. Sankaraiah (right) addressing State-level league of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) successful Dindigul connected December 31, 2015, successful the beingness of seasoned CPI person R. Nallakannu.

Photo: R. Ragu

PMK laminitis S. Ramadoss (centre) with CPI person R. Nallakannu (left) and Viduthlai Chiruthaigal Katchi person Thol. Thirumavalavan astatine a relation successful Chennai connected April 27, 2008.

Photo: The Hindu Archives

MDMK wide caput Vaiko (left) and CPI person R. Nallakannu astatine a publication merchandise relation successful Chennai connected May 2, 2008

Photo: The Hindu Archives

CPI person R. Nallakannu during an each enactment gathering astatine the Secretariat successful Chennai connected the extended damages caused to coastal areas of Tamil Nadu by tsunami, connected January 7, 2005.

Photo: The Hindu Archives

Then DMK president M. Karunanidhi greeting R. Nallakannu and his woman Ranjitham Nallakannu during the CPI leader’s 80th day solemnisation successful Chennai connected October 18, 2005.

Photo: The Hindu Archives

Senior CPI person S. Sudhakar Reddy inaugurating the enactment bureau astatine T. Nagar successful Chennai connected April 9, 2006. Communist leaders D. Pandian (left), D. Raja (third right) and R. Nallakannu (second right) are besides present. Mr. Reddy passed distant precocious astatine Hyderabad connected August 22, 2025.

Photo: N. Bashkaran

CPI person R. Nallakannu joins with enactment cadres during a `human chain' rally demanding the implementation of the Hogenakkal Water Supply strategy successful Dharmapuri connected July 18, 2006.

Photo: N. Rajesh

CPI person R. Nallakannu addressing during an indefinite accelerated organised by the Tamirabarani River Water Protection Federation, successful Thoothukudi connected September 13, 2011.