In Pictures | From the life of N. Sankaraiah

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 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).  Sankaraiah was first arrested in 1941, when he was a student of The American College in Madurai. He organised a protest in support of the students of Annamalai University in Chidambaram, at the instance of late Communist leader A.K. Gopalan, who was hiding in Madurai then. When the police searched the students’ hostel, they found pamphlets written by Sanakaraiah, and he was arrested. The incident put an end to his studies. He could not complete his degree, as he was arrested and lodged in prison 15 days before the final examinations. His first jail term lasted 18 months. It was this incident that had, some months ago, prompted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to announce his government’s decision to confer an honorary doctorate on Sankaraiah, and the Madurai Kamaraj University had decided to confer it. 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 university’s decision. Mr. Ravi, as Governor, is the Chancellor of the university. 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.

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).

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.