Communist veteran, freedom fighter Sankaraiah passes away at 101

Freedom fighter, veteran of the Communist movement and senior CPI(M) leader N Sankaraiah died in Chennai on Wednesday at the age of 101.

He is survived by his two sons and a daughter.

A founding member of the CPI (M), 'comrade' Sankaraiah breathed his last at a private hospital.

Chief Minister M K Stalin showered praise on Sankaraiah recalling his yeoman service for the people.

A lifelong fighter against oppression, his life and sacrifices would forever remain in the pages of history. "His is a life of sacrifices," he said.

Stalin announced that the leader's funeral would be conducted with state honours marking his



service as a freedom fighter, a legislator and leader of a political party.

The CM said though he had announced that Sankaraiah would be conferred an honorary doctorate by the state-run Madurai Kamarajar University, it could not be done due to the "conspiracy" of some "narrow-minded" people who were unaware of the history of Tamil Nadu in the freedom movement.

The veiled reference is to Governor R N Ravi who in his capacity as chancellor did not reportedly give his consent and hence, the doctorate could not be conferred.

Sankaraiah, a three-time MLA, had helmed the Marxist's party affiliate All India Kisan Sabha as its president and general secretary as well.