CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government will provide full state honors to veteran CPI leader R. Nallakannu before his body is donated to medical education, as per his wishes. The 101-year-old passed away Wednesday following multi-organ failure.
Admitted on February 1 for age-related issues, Nallakannu’s health declined sharply in recent days despite round-the-clock medical attention at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.
Chief Minister MK Stalin emphasized the leader’s lifelong dedication: ‘Nallakannu sacrificed everything for public welfare. Tamil Nadu honors him with utmost respect.’
The body lies in state at ‘Balam House’, CPI office in Thyagaraya Nagar, until 3 PM for public homage. A procession will follow, culminating at Chennai Medical College Hospital.
Tributes poured in from across the political divide. Stalin and son Udhayanidhi led, joined by AIADMK’s Jayakumar and Panneerselvam, Congress’s Selvaperunthagai, PMK’s Ramadoss, TVK’s Vijay, BJP’s Murugan, VCK’s Thirumavalavan, and NTK’s Seeman.
Prime Minister Modi hailed him as a figure of universal respect who lived for humanity. AIADMK chief Palaniswami called him a beacon of honesty and ethics.
Cinema luminaries Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Nassar, and others celebrated his humility, ideological steadfastness, and service ethos.
This final gesture of body donation embodies Nallakannu’s philosophy of contributing to society even in death, ensuring his legacy endures through medical advancements.