Following Karunanidhi's demise, a controversy erupted after the Tamil Nadu government turned down DMK’s request to allot space for the former chief minister’s burial near party founder CN Annadurai’s memorial at the iconic Marina Beach.
Meanwhile, lawyer of Traffic Ramaswamy said, "We have no objection to the burial land for Karunanidhi." Ramaswamy is one of the five petitioners who had filed a public interest litigation against building memorials at the Marina beach. While four others have already withdrawn their petition, Ramaswamy's PIL is still pending before the high court. The acting Chief Justice responded to the lawyer, saying, "Withdraw your case," reported ANI.
Source: PTI
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The Congress government in Puducherry today extended three-day mourning to seven days following the death of DMK leader M Karunanidhi. A cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister V Narayanasamy took the decision to extend the period of mourning to seven days instead of three as announced earlier. Narayanasamy said a bronze statue of Karunanidhi would be installed in the union territory as per a decision was taken by the cabinet.
Amid cries of people hailing him as "Thalaivar," (leader), DMK president M Karunanidhi's last journey began today with thousands of people paying their last respects. Heart-rendering slogans like 'Kalaignar pugazh vazhga vazhgavey' (long live the glory of Karunanidhi) rent the air as tri-service personnel lifted the glass casket.
Preparations for M Karunanidhi's burial have begun. The funeral will be executed at 4 pm. The DMK patriarch will be buried near Anna Samadhi — the memorial of his mentor C N Annadurai.
Source: ANI
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa and several other political leaders in the country express sorrow at the demise of Karunanidhi. "The death of M Karunanidhi, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and senior politician, deeply disturbed me. I express my deepest sympathy for everyone, including his family and supporters who have been saddened by the loss of Anna," Sirisena tweeted.
MK Stalin addresses the crowd outside the Rajaji Hall and asks them to maintain calm. "Those who are in power are trying to create chaos, but you have all shown the strength of the cadres."
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "I was unhappy yesterday, as the govt did not allow the Marina beach burial. I had called the CM but he was unavailable. I also personally called the PM in this regard. Yesterday, I had gone to their residence to pay tributes to Karunanidhi ji. He was the senior most leader and politician, legendary figure. So, it is a great loss."
DMK supporters gather outside Anna memorial at Chennai's Marina beach. JCB machines have also reached the spot following Madras High Court's judgement that M Karunanidhi will receive burial at the Marina beach.
Both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have been adjourned for the day as a mark of respect for the five-time chief minister of Tamil Nadu, M Karunanidhi. A slew of politicians including Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal are expected to pay their tribute to the DMK chief. Adjournment of Parliament for Karunanudhi is unprecedented. It has never been done for a former CM. Was done for Jayalalithaa who was a sitting CM.
'With profound sorrow, I've to inform the House about the sad demise of Karunanidhi, who passed away on August 7, 2018. He served as CM of Tamil Nadu for five times. In his demise, the country has lost highly popular and eminent personality,' Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said.
Here's a list of dignitaries who will fly to Chennai to pay their respects to the DMK stalwart
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Governor Justice (Retd) Sadhasivam, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Chief Minister of Telangana Chandrashekhar Rao, Former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy, former Karnataka CM Veerappa Moily, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu
Prime Minister Modi paid tribute to Karunanidhi at Rajaji Hall in Chennai. He also met his family members and expressed his condolences. Earlier on Tuesday, Modi shared multiple pictures of him and Karunanidhi and said, "We have lost a deep-rooted mass leader, prolific thinker, accomplished writer and a stalwart whose life was devoted to the welfare of the poor and the marginalised. India and particularly Tamil Nadu will miss him immensely. May his soul rest in peace."
Madras HC order allowing M Karunanidhi's burial on Marina beach leads to emotional scenes at Rajaji Hall, his son Stalin and senior leaders break into tears. DMK cadres raising anti-Aiadmk and anti-RSS slogans ahead of PM Modi's arrival to Rajaji hall.
Madras HC grants permission to bury M Karunanidhi behind Anna Samadhi on Marina beach.
PM Modi arrives in Chennai. He will head to Rajaji hall soon to pay respects to Karunanidhi.
Rapid Action Force has been deployed outside Anna memorial at Marina beach in Chennai. Hearing in the case against denial of burial land by Tamil Nadu Govt at Marina beach for Karunanidhi is underway at Madras High Court.
Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan pays last respects to Karunanidhi at Chennai's Rajaji Hall.
PM Modi will arrive at 10.20 am at Chennai airport. He will take a chopper to INS Adyar before heading to Rajaji Hall by road, 2 kms away. Rahul Gandhi will arrive at 1 pm.
Tamil Nadu govt's lawyer says, "DMK is pursuing political agenda by filing this case. DK Chief Periyar was the tallest leader of the Dravidian movement. Was he buried at Marina beach?"
Case against denial of burial land by Tamil Nadu Govt at Marina beach for M Karunanidhi: DMK's lawyer says, "Anna, who is the founder of DMK, used to say my life and soul is Karunanidhi. Burying Karunanidhi next to Gandhi Mandapam cannot be termed as a decent burial."
He says, "You (state govt) have announced state mourning, why not give land for burial? There's no prohibition under Central Govt protocol to allot land at Marina beach for ex-CMs."
— ANI
VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan said, "We demand that Bharat Ratna be conferred upon him. We also demand that his memorial be made near Anna Samadhi."
State BJP president Tamilisai Soundararajan paid her last respects to Karunanidhi at Rajaji hall in Chennai.
Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar and VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan also paid last respects to Karunanidhi at Chennai's Rajaji Hall.
Rajinikanth also paid last respects to former Tamil Nadu CM Karunanidhi at Chennai's Rajaji Hal.
A host of leaders have paid their respects to Karunanidhi including Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy, Chief Minister K Palaniswamy, Deputy CM O Pannerselvam. (ANI photos)
There are huge crowds at Chennai's Rajaji Hall, where the mortal remains of Karunanidhi have been kept. Slogans of 'Long Live Kalaignar' and 'Need Marina! Need Marina!' can be heard.
A R Rahman tweets, "You may have left this earth but your infectious passion and love for Tamizh will stay and reflect with us forever…Deep Respect !"
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam pay their respects at Rajaji Hall. The Chief Minister says, "This is a great loss for Tamil Nadu. My deep condolences to his family members and DMK party workers," reports ANI.
(Source: ANI)
The Madras High Court will resume hearing a plea seeking burial space at Marina beach. The hearing was adjourned to 8 am this morning. The government, which has opposed the move, has allotted space at Gandhi Mandapam in Guindy. Earlier on Tuesday, Karunanidhi's children and DMK leaders MK Stalin, MK Alagiri and MK Kanimozhi had visited Chief Minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami and requested their father to be buried near Anna Samadhi, the memorial of C N Anna durai. The CM, however, refused to grant them permission.
Also read | M Karunanidhi: A quintessential writer and shrewd leader with a spontaneous sense of humour
The mortal remains of M Karunanidhi, who passed away on Tuesday evening, is at Rajaji Hall. The public will be allowed to pay their respects to the leader during the course of the day. Several politicians are flying down to Chennai today as well, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
Ambulance carrying former Karunanidhi's mortal remains arrives at Kanimozhi's residence in CIT Colony. The police had to resort to lathi-charge to control the crowd gathered outside Kanimozhi's residence.
Karunanidhi's mortal remains being taken to CIT colony residence where it will be kept till 3 Am and will be shifted to Rajaji hall at 4 in the morning. An emotional M K Stalin can be seen leading the proceedings in Chennai.
Hearing over burial spot for Karunanidhi at Marina Beach adjourned till 8 am on Wednesday morning. The hearing was underway at the residence of Acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court.
While the hearing over DMK petition demanding burial spot for its late leader Karunanidhi at Marina Beach continues at the residence of Acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court, his mortal remains will soon be shifted from the Gopalapuram residence to Rajaji Hall via the CIT Colony Residence of his daughter Kanimozhi.
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena today mourned the death of DMK chief N Karunanidhi. "I am deeply saddened by the death of former Chief Minister and senior political leader Karunanidhi," he said in a tweet, extending his condolences to the bereaved family and party cadres. Meanwhile, US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster, in a tweet, said, "Karunanidhi will be remembered for years of public service to the state."
DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi leaves behind a legacy unparalleled in Indian politics. His death brings an era to a close in Tamil Nadu. The imprint of the five-time chief minister and legislator for over six decades is visible on almost every aspect of Tamil public life — politics, public administration, cinema, literature. The ideals of the Dravidian Movement formed the bedrock of Karunanidhi’s politics. The main features of the Movement were its strong anti-caste agenda, federalism and the privileging of Tamil identity.
Also Read | Indian Express Editorial on DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi
Petitioner Duraiswamy who had filed the plea in the Court to stop any burial at the Marina beach withdrawing his plea blamed Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan for using the
Coastal Regulation Zoneviolation PIL filed by him to prevent Karunanidhi from being buried next to Anna Samadhi.Lawyer Duraiswamy withdrawing his petition said that the burial spot sought by the DMK for Karunanidhi was behind Anna Samadhi and does not fall under the coastal regulation zone. However without considering it the Chief Secretary rejected the demand, says DMK lawyer outside the residence of ACJ, Madras High Court.
(Express Photo by Kosal Ram)
(Express Photo by Kosal Ram)
Bihar government has announced a two-day state mourning in the wake of passing away of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi. CM Nitish Kumar said that the DMK leader always kept democratic values at the top and his work for the upliftment of backward classes will always be remembered.
While the state mourns the death of the veteran leader, several sports personalities came forward to give a tribute to the 94-year old, whose health had started deteriorating in October 2016. Among the sports stars were cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin and chess legend Vishwanathan Anand.
Read Here | Ravichandran Ashwin, Vishwanathan Anand pay tribute to DMK patriarch Karunanidhi
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has reached the Gopalapuram residence of late Karunanidhi to pay her final tributes to Kalaignar. She is the first political leaders to reach Chennai.
DMK cadres raise slogans against the state government for denying a burial place to Karunanidhi at the Marina beach. Reports suggest cadres outside Karunanidhi's Gopalapuram residence getting restless. The mortal remains have arrived at the residence and supporters are vying to get a final glimpse of Kalignar.
Justice SS Sundar who is presiding over the hearing to decide the final burial place of Kaliagnar has arrived at the residence of Acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court. Hearing to commence shortly.
The CPI today urged the Tamil Nadu government to deal in a "dignified way," DMK's demand for allotment of space at the Marina beach here for burying its late leader M Karunanidhi, saying it should "not create any hurdles" in this regard. CPI National Secretary D Raja condoled the death of Karunanidhi and heaped praise on the 'fighter.' "DMK as a party and Karunanidhi's family requested for space at the Marina. The state government must deal with the issue in a dignified way, accepting the request," he told PTI. The government "should not create hurdles...it will be a dishonor for such a person," he said.