P K Narayana Panicker, president of Nair Service Society and a dominant public figure in Kerala for the last several decades, died at his residence at Changanassery near here today, NSS sources said.
He was 82 and had been keeping indifferent health for quite some time, sources said.
Panicker, who headed the powerful community organisation with grassroot level network and educational institutions all through the state, headed NSS for nearly three decades after he took over as General Secretary in 1983.
Last year, he stepped down as general secretary of NSS and became its president.
A lawyer by profession, Panicker had spearheaded several legal battles and public campaigns for income-based reservations in jobs and admissions in place of community-based quota system.
Panicker also headed the now defunct political wing of the NSS, National Democratic Party. The party was a partner in the UDF before it was disbanded in the 1990s.
Leaders from all political parties and community organisations said Kerala had lost an eminent public figure at the death of Panicker.