25/02/2026
Veteran Communist Party of India (CPI) leader and freedom fighter R. Nallakannu was a towering figure in Tamil Nadu's communist movement who dedicated over eight decades to fighting for the rights of farmers and the working class. He passed away on February 25, 2026, at the age of 101.
His key contributions to the farmers' cause include -
Establishing Movements: He played a pivotal role in building farmers' movements in Tamil Nadu and helped lay the foundation for the Kisan Sabha alongside P. Srinivasa Rao.
Land & Labor Rights: He led statewide struggles for land rights, fair wages, and against the exploitation of farm workers by religious institutions.
Environmental Protection: He famously fought a legal battle against the illegal sand mining mafia in the Thamirabarani River, securing a landmark ban to protect the water source vital for local agriculture.
Selfless Advocacy: Known for his integrity, he donated cash prizes from prestigious awards, such as the Ambedkar Award, directly to agricultural workers' unions.
R. Nallakannu’s fight for farmers spanned over eight decades, beginning in the 1940s and continuing until his passing in 2026.
Action: Alongside leader P. Srinivasa Rao, he helped establish the Kisan Sabha in Tamil Nadu. He led protests to stop barbaric practices like whipping and forcing workers to drink cow-dung water.
Late 1940s – 1960s: Land Rights and Fair Wages
Reason: Securing "Land to the Tiller" and ensuring minimum wages for agricultural labourers.
Action: He fought for permanent habitation rights for tenant families to prevent arbitrary evictions from their homes on temple-owned lands.
2010 – 2020s: Environmental Protection and Water Rights
Reason: To protect river ecosystems essential for farming and to prevent the illegal sand mining mafia from depleting water tables.
Action: He personally filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in 2010 to ban sand mining in the Thamirabarani River, arguing that it threatened both the ecology and the livelihoods of local farmers.
Resource Justice: He believed farmers should have a right to the water and grain they worked to produce, leading protests against hoarding during wartime famines.
Securing Habitats: He focused on providing permanent living rights for landless labourers who faced constant insecurity.
Sources: The Hindu, DT Next, The Times of India, The New Indian Express, India Herald, Puthiyathalaimurai, Sun News, Jaya News, NDTV
