Madras HC conducts emergency hearing on Karunanidhi's burial space
The Madras HC is conducting an emergency hearing on a petition by the DMK, which has challenged the TN government's refusal to let its party chief Karunanidhi be buried next to CN Annadurai's memorial at Marina Beach. The government had agreed to allocate two acres of land at Gandhi Mandapam instead. The DMK chief died earlier this evening due to age-related ailments.
TN government cites pending PILs for not awarding burial spot
The Marina beach has the burial sites of iconic figures like DMK founder Annadurai, AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran, and former CM J Jayalalithaa. DMK followers and Karunanidhi's family had hoped to secure a burial spot for the late DMK chief, but the state government denied it, citing pending PILs at the Madras HC challenging the construction of memorials on the beach.
A petitioner withdraws plea against construction of memorials at Marina
Incidentally, a petitioner, one of those who had filed a plea in the court to stop construction of new memorials at Marina, revoked her petition today. The HC has declared it withdrawn.
DMK receives support from other parties
Other party leaders have supported DMK's demand. "He converted Marina into a Tamil cultural symbol," said VCK's Ravikumar. "Kalaignar was an expression of the voice of the Tamil people. That voice deserves space on Marina," said Congress' Rahul Gandhi. Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth requested the government to "make all efforts." "The TN people won't forgive the government if it denies burial land," said NC's Farooq Abdullah.
Violence erupts in Chennai over government's refusal
The Gandhi Mandapam on Sardar Patel Road, in which the government has offered to allocate two acres of land for Karunanidhi's burial, hosts the sarcophagi of C Rajagopalachari and former CM K Kamaraj. Reacting to the government's decision to deny a burial spot at Marina, DMK supporters outside the Kauvery Hospital, where he breathed his last, ransacked police barricades and turned violent.
The government's plans to commemorate Karunanidhi
The government has offered Rajaji Hall for Karunanidhi's final journey, and declared a day of mourning on August 8. He will be given full state honors and a military salute, it has said. He will be wrapped in the tricolor and the flag will fly at half mast. The government itself will recognize a seven-day mourning period. All official functions stand cancelled.
