Expected drama followed the news of M Karunanidhi's death, as the ruling AIADMK said that Marina Beach was reserved only for chief ministers who died in office, but the departed leader always dreamt of being laid to rest next to the grave of his mentor MG Ramachandran. This morning, the Madras High Court ruled in the favour of DMK.
Madras High Court rules in favour of DMK and decided that the five-time chief minister, M Karunanidhi will be buried next to MGR's grave at Marina Beach. The crowd at Rajaji Hall chanted 'We want Marina Beach', as the hearing for DMK supremo Karunanidhi's burial was underway in court. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Chennai, met Karunanidhi's family, spoke to MK Stalin and Kanimozhi after paying last respects at Rajaji Hall.
The nation mourns the death of Muthuvel Karunanidhi, the man who left behind an impeccable legacy in Tamil Nadu politics. He died at the age of 94 in Chennai's Kauvery Hospital on Tuesday. Karunanidhi's party DMK had filed a petition for a burial site at the Marina Beach near Anna memorial in Chennai, alongside other political icons.
Also read: Kalaignar Karunanidhi is dead at 94, Tamil Nadu politics is wide open now
However, On Tuesday night, the hearing was adjourned to 8 AM on Wednesday as it's political rival, AIADMK offered a two-acre plot near Gandhi Mandapam, the memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, as a burial site. The State government was given time to file its counter-affidavit in the case on Wednesday, 8 August.
The ruling party had said on 7 August after the news of his death arrived that only chief ministers who had died in office have burial sites at the Marina Beach. There is no such law, and Gandhi Mandapam cannot be termed as a decent burial. Those buried there have ideologies different from the Dravidian movement," the DMK argued in court. Justice SS Sundar pointed out to DMK lawyer that the family members of Karunanidhi have not approached Madras High Court.
A petitioner who had moved the court, appealing against any burial on the Marina beach withdrew his petition on 7 August. S Gandhimadhi said, "Since the place is already being used as a burial ground, the question of further damage to the ecology does not arise."
DMK cadre had taken to the streets, demanding space for a Karunanidhi memorial at Marina Beach. His supporters were breaching barricades at Chennai’s Rajaji Hall, where the body of M Karunanidhi has been kept.
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