Karunanidhi laid to rest at Chennai’s Marina Beach, DMK sees a son rise

With Karunanidhi suffering from ailments for the last two years, Stalin was appointed the DMK Working President and the Opposition leader in the Assembly

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President M Karunanidhi was on Wednesday laid to rest at Chennai’s Marina Beach, close to his mentor Annadurai’s burial ground, plunging millions of his supporters into grief.

The five-time Chief Minister, who died on Tuesday at 94, was accompanied by tens of thousands of mourners in his last journey to his resting place, which was finalised after a dramatic court hearing in a controversy over the choice of the site.

Karunanidhi Death

Top politicians cutting across party lines, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi, and film celebrities paid homage to the veteran politician.

A message inscribed on the casket carrying Karunanidhi’s body said “Oivedukkamal Uzhaithavan Idho Oivu Kondirukkiran (the one who worked without taking rest is taking rest here)”.

Karunanidhi’s body was kept at Rajaji Hall before being taken to the burial site. By noon, the crowd that gathered to pay tributes went out of control. Two people were killed and 20 injured in a stampede outside the hall, according to reports.

Article Source : BS

Chennai remains tense as court to decide place for Karunanidhi’s burial

Security tightened ahead of the expected arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other national leaders

Almost 12 hours after the demise of M Karunanidhi — five-time Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President, the situation in Chennai remains tense, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, several other ministers and very important persons expected to visit the city to pay tribute to the late veteran politician.

There has been violence at some places after the state government denied a place for his burial at the Marina Beach, Chennai, where several leaders, including former Chief Ministers Annadurai, M G Ramachandran, and J Jayalalithaa, were buried.

Karunanidhi Death

The workers raised slogans seeking a place at the Marina for their beloved leader as his final resting place. Some of these workers turned violent. The DMK leadership immediately approached the Madras High Court which adjourned the hearing to 8:30 am on Wednesday.

During the night, Karunanidhi’s mortal remains were moved from his Gopalapuram house to the one in CIT Nagar, where his two wives reside. The body was then moved to Rajaji Hall, a public hall in the city, Wednesday early morning to allow the public to pay homage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others are expected to visit the Hall on Wednesday after which the body will be taken for burial.

An eerie calm wrapped the city after Karunanidhi’s death was announced on Tuesday night. Even on Wednesday morning, most of the shops remained closed in the city, while roads went empty, except for those who went to pay homage to the late DMK leader. The government has announced a public holiday for educational institutions, offices of the State government and State Public Sector Undertakings and the government-controlled bodies on Wednesday as a mark of respect to the former Chief Minister. It has also announced mouring for a week.

News Source : BS