Tamil Nadu bids a poignant farewell to one of its tallest communist figures. R. Nallakannu, the 101-year-old CPI stalwart, will have his body donated to Chennai Medical College Hospital Thursday as per his last wish, advancing medical science.
The veteran leader breathed his last Wednesday afternoon at 1:55 PM, succumbing to multi-organ failure after a prolonged battle with age-related illnesses at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.
Chief Minister MK Stalin, leading the tributes, confirmed full state honors for the departed soul. ‘His entire life embodied sacrifice and service to the people. The state salutes this great son of Tamil Nadu,’ the CM remarked.
Currently placed at CPI headquarters ‘Balam House’ in Thyagaraya Nagar, the body allows final respects until 3 PM, followed by a procession by party cadres to the donation site.
Political unity shone through as rivals joined in mourning. From DMK’s top brass to opposition heavyweights like AIADMK’s Edappadi Palaniswami, Congress, PMK, BJP, VCK, and NTK leaders queued to pay homage.
PM Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences, praising Nallakannu’s transcendence of political divides and his life devoted to others’ welfare.
The film industry too remembered the ideologue fondly, with superstars like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan lauding his simplicity and unwavering principles.
Nallakannu’s passing marks the end of an era, but his commitment to equality, justice, and selfless service remains etched in Tamil Nadu’s collective memory.