Freedom fighter, senior-most Communist leader in the country, and one of the founding members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), N. Sankaraiah, aged 101, died at a private hospital in Chennai on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.
Born on July 15, 1922, Sankaraiah was among the 32 national council members of the Communist Party of India (CPI), who left the party over ideological differences, which led to the formation of the CPI(M) in 1964. Another surviving member is V.S. Achuthanandan, former Chief Minister of Kerala. Sankaraiah, a three-time MLA, had also served as the State secretary of the CPI(M).
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A few months ago Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced his government’s decision to confer an honorary doctorate on Sankaraiah. However, T.N. Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy subsequently stated that Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi had refused to give his assent to the Madurai Kamaraj University’s decision.
Earlier in 2021, Sankaraiah was conferred with the Thagaisal Thamizhar Award by Chief Minister Stalin. The veteran Marxist, however, donated the money prize of ₹10 lakh to the government for COVID-19 relief work.
Sankaraiah had also actively participated in the Quit India movement during the Independence struggle. Sankaraiah was a powerful speaker, and late Congress leader G.K. Moopanar used to liken his speeches to the roar of an old lion.
An all party delegation lead by The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran calling on the Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in New Delhi on April 23, 1985 and presenting a memorandum on the problems of Sri Lankan Tamils and the Indian fishermen. Also seen are Tamil Nadu Finance Minister V.R. Nedunchezhian, Electricity Minister S. Ramachandran, S. Raghavanandam, Abdus Samad (Muslim League) S. Andi Thevar (All India Forward Block), M. Kalyanasundaram (CPI), N. Sankaraiah (CPI-M), O. Subramaniam (Cong-I)
Tamil Maanila Congress president G.K. Moopanar, N. Sankaraiah of CPI-M, Nallakannu of CPI who led the demonstration demanding the resignation of the Vajpayee-led BJP government over the Defence deal scam, at Chennai
CPI leaders Varadarajan, Sankaraiah and TK. Rangarajan calling on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa at her residence in Chennai.
DMK president M. Karunanidhi, CPI (M) leader N. Sankaraiah, N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu, at a human chain rally in Chennai, while protesting against the Tamil Nadu Assembly's order against journalists.
N. Sankaraiah, senior leader of Communist Party of India (Marxist), addressing the party cadres after hoisting the party flag on the occasion of May Day, in Chennai on May 1, 2011
CPI (M) leaders Varadarajan and Sankaraiah
N. Sankaraiah (right), former state secretary, CPI (M), interacting with Prakash Karat, general secretary, CPI (M), at the Golden Rock Martyrs Day function in Tiruchi on September 5, 2011. Veteran CPI (M) leader R. Umanath is also in the picture.
CPI state secretary R. Nallakannu, Tamil Nadu Congress working president, E.V.K.S. Elangovan and CPI(M) leader N. Sankaraiah take part in a conference in Tiruchi on December 10, 2022
CPI (M) leader N. Sankaraiah, addressing a public meeting in Madurai on January 27, 2018
N. Sankaraiah and Prakash Karat paying tribute to the party martyr at the 21st CPI (M) Tamil Nadu State Conference in Chennai on February 16, 2015
Freedom fighter N. Sankaraiya, releases the publication`Thamizhaga Panpattu Suzhal’. It is being received by K. Veeramani, president of Dravidar Kazhagam at a function held at Nungambakkam in Chennai on November 13, 2013
Veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader N. Sankaraiah addressing at the Lok Sabha election meeting for party's North Chennai candidate U. Vasuki at Royapuram in Chennai on April 18, 2014
CPI (M) leader and freedom fighter N. Sankaraiah celebrates his 100th birthday in Chennai on July 15, 2020
Freedom fighter and veteran CPI (M) leader N. Sankaraiah addressing during centenary celebrations, at CPI (M) office, T. Nagar, in Chennai on October 17, 2019
Communist Party of India (CPI) leader R. Nallakannu greeting veteran Communist leader N. Sankaraiah on his 101st birthday at his residence in Chennai July 15, 2022
Veteran Communist leader N. Sankaraiah releasing All India Agricultural Workers Union 10th state conference logo on December 1, 2022
CPI (M) leader N. Sankaraiah addressing the press in Chennai
