R. Nallakannu
 | This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. (July 2019) |
ஆர்.நல்லகண்ணு R. Nallakannu | |
|---|---|
| File:Nallakannu1.jpg | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 December 1925 Srivaikuntam |
| Political party | Communist party of India |
| Spouse | Ranjitham |
| Occupation | Politician |
R. Nallakannu is an Indian politician and also Senior Communist Party of India (CPI) leader. He was the former State Secretary of the Communist Party of India of Tamil Nadu.[1]
Early life
R. Nallakannu was born in the temple town of Srivaikuntam, in former VO. Chidambaranar district now Thoothukudi district. Born in an affluent family, he was very patriotic from a young age and participated in the freedom struggle.
Political career
At the age of 15, Nallakannu joined in the communist movement, mainly agitated by the atrocities committed to the downtrodden people of a particular community. A firebrand politician, he belonged to the action force, and was handed over 14 years in jail. He was released after 7 years, as a pact was signed by the communist leaders and the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. A very dedicated and sincere politician, he has set an example as to how a politician should live with simplicity and dignity. Highly respected even by the opponent parties, he uses most cultured restraint, even when he voices his concerns about unpleasant occurrences. R. Nallakannu is respected as one of the last surviving leaders who founded the Communist movement in India. He is widely traveled, with his visits including the USSR, Germany, China,and lately, the United States.
Even at the age of 89+, as of September 26, he individually fought a court case in Madurai, and won in High court ordering a ban on digging sands from the Thamirabarani River of his native place. On 02.12.2010, the court ordered to ban the taking of sand from this river for subsequent 5 years[2] He has undergone many a hunger strikes, some lasting for more than 20 days. Once, the government built a dam because of his hunger strike. He was honoured by the Vice President of the People's Republic of China during his visit to Beijing.[3]
Writer
As a writer, Nallakannu wrote many books based on social problems, river interaction possibilities in India, agricultural reforms and about communist-based articles. He is also valued as a learned speaker and a great social reformer,and all his life he fought for equal opportunities for the most socially suffered communities. He stayed with them, had food with them and taught them how to fight for their own rights from the upper classes. He also made considerable progress in lifting the living conditions of poor people in Nanguneri Taluk and neighbouring villages, mostly during the period when he was spending his time underground. He is known as an individual ready to make any sacrifice to uphold the principles of a casteless society. His role models were Lenin, Che, and Ho-chi-min.
In 1999, Nallakannu stood for Coimbatore constituency on loksabha elections. Even though he secured 43.21 percent of total votes, he was defeated by CP Radhakrishnan.[4] On 14 August 2007, Nallakannu receives "Sahayogi Puraskar" award from Governor Surjit Singh Barnala of Tamil Nadu.[5] In 2008, the state government of Tamil Nadu headed by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has chosen senior Communist Party of India leader Nallakannu for the 2007 "Ambedkar Award" for his outstanding contribution to public life, especially to the poor and the downtrodden.[6] On 3 October 2008, Nallakannu receives "Gandhian award" for social service from All India Mahatma Gandhi Social Welfare Forum.[7] Nallakannu was honored by "Jeeva Award" from District Writers Association on 21 January 2009 at Thiruchirapalli.[8]
Personal Life
R. Nallakannu was married to Ranjitham Ammal a retired school headmistress from Srivaikuntam in Tuticorin district, with whom he had two daughters. Ranjitham passed away in Chennai in 2016 at age 82.[9]
In 2019, Nallakannu and his family were asked to vacate the house they were living in, which was allotted to them as a tribute to his contirbutions in the political field. Multiple political leaders expressed their indignation with this decision of the government. The DMK President MK Stalin stated that, as a political leader who has been held in high regard, Nallakannu needs to be allotted with another house. [10]
References
- ^ "Fronts and challenges". Hindu.com. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
- ^ Thaamiraparani vazhakkil R.N.K;NCBH publication;January 2013;page 25
- ^ "Quaide Milleth Trust". www.quaidemillethtrust.com. Retrieved 2019-07-22.
- ^ "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTIONS, 1999 TO THE THIRTEENTH LOK SABHA" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-07-23.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu News : Gandhi represented vitality of Indian culture, history, says Barnala". The Hindu. 2007-08-15. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Ambedkar Award for Nallakannu". The Hindu. 2008-01-10. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu News : "Spread Gandhian ideals"". The Hindu. 2008-10-04. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu / Tiruchi News : Jeeva Award conferred on R. Nallakannu". The Hindu. 2009-01-22. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
- ^ Dec 1, B. Sivakumar | TNN | Updated:; 2016; Ist, 14:08. "CPI leader Nallakannu's wife Ranjitham dead". The Times of India. Retrieved 2019-07-22.
{{cite web}}:|last2=has numeric name (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "CPI leader Nallakannu, ex-min Kakkan's family to be allocated new houses after outrage". www.thenewsminute.com. 12 May 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-22.
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