Karunanidhi to Be Laid to Rest at Marina; PM Modi Pays Respects

The Madras High Court has allowed DMK to bury former Chief Minister and DMK Chief M Karunanidhi's mortal remains at Marina Beach near Anna Samadhi. The Tamil Nadu government had earlier denied land at the beach for the former chief minister’s burial.

Both the Houses of the Parliament have been adjourned for the day as a mark of respect to M Karunanidhi.

The leader’s mortal remains were taken from CIT Colony to Rajaji Hall in the wee hours of 8 August, even as thousands lined up for a glimpse of their Kalaignar.

Karunanidhi’s mortal remains being taken to Marina Beach for burial.

DMK workers gather outside Rajaji Hall to get a glimpse of DMK Chief M Karunanidhi.

The Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha adjourned for the day as a mark of respect to former CM M Karunanidhi, reported ANI.

MK Stalin breaks down after Madras High Court's verdict to allow the burial of former CM M Karunanidhi at Chennai's Marina beach.

Madras High Court allows Karunanidhi’s body to be buried at Marina. Directing the government to allot the land for burial, the high court said that there is no legal impediment to bury body of Karunanidhi at Marina.

PM Narendra Modi arrives in Chennai to pay last respects to DMK chief M Karunanidhi.

Acting CJ begins dictating orders on DMK RS Bharathi’s plea for place for Karunanidhi at Marina.

The police has managed to get the crowds back in line.

The government has deployed Rapid Action Force outside Anna Memorial at Marina beach in Chennai, even as the Madras HC is hearing a plea against the TN government’s decision to deny burial ground to Karunanidhi at the beach.

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan pays last respects to DMK patriarch and former CM M Karunanidhi at Chennai's Rajaji Hall.

CS Vaidyanathan contends that the government has passed a detailed order containing all reasons for denying place at Marina for Karunanidhi which has not been challenged by DMK.

Crowd outside Karunanidhi’s wake continues to swell as the people await High Court’s order on Karunanidhi’s burial at Marina.

As TN government’s counsel CS Vaidyanathan argues that the classification between former CMs & sitting CMs is a valid classification, Justice SS Sundar says that the classification should have been mentioned in the press release issued on Tuesday, 7 August.

BJP leader H Raja pays last respects to Karunanidhi.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) Chief Thol Thirumavalavan paid last respects to DMK patriarch Karunanidhi at Rajaji Hall.

Speaking to the media, he said, “We demand that Bharat Ratna be conferred upon him. We also demand that his memorial be made near Anna Samadhi.”

Senior Counsel CS Vaidyanathan arguing on behalf of Tamil Nadu government said that DMK is pursuing political agenda by filing this case.

Senior Counsel P Wilson of DMK argues that burying M Karunanidhi next to Gandhi Mandapam cannot be called a decent burial. He further says under Section 319 of the Chennai Corportaion Act, the civic body has already given approval for burying bodies and constructing mausoleums in Marina.

Countering the TN government’s argument, Wilson says there is no prohibition as per the central government's protocol to allot ground at Marina for former CMs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to arrive at Rajaji Hall at 11 am to pay his last respects to Karunanidhi. Congress President Rahul Gandhi is expected to reach Chennai at 12:45 pm.

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan took to Twitter and said, “When Anna was alive, MGR and Karunanidhi held the fort together with him. It only behooves the state for all 3 to be put to rest in the same place.”

Jayalalithaa’s niece Deepa Jayakumar pays respects to DMK patriarch Karunanidhi.

Madras HC begins dictating orders in DMK’s petition seeking place for Karunanidhi at Marina. Decides to dictate facts before hearing the counsels and pronouncing their decision.

Counsel for Tamil Nadu Govt argues:

Tamil Nadu government also argues in its counter-affidavit that M Karunanidhi himself didn’t allot Marina for Janaki Ramachandran after understanding the protocol manual when he was the Chief Minister.

Adding that sitting CMs & former CMs cannot be treated as equals when it comes to protocol.

Meanwhile, Madras High Court dismisses all petitions filed by Doraisamy, Traffic Ramaswamy and PMK’s K Balu challenging construction of memorials at Marina.

Case against denial of burial land by Tamil Nadu Govt at Marina beach for M Karunanidhi is currently underway at Madras High Court. Tamil Nadu Govt has filed its counter affidavit in the case.

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit pays last respects to former Tamil Nadu CM M Karunanidhi at Chennai’s Rajaji Hall.

As huge crowd gathers outside Rajaji Hall, ‘Long Live Kalaignar’, ‘Need Marina’ slogans fill the air.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami and Deputy CM O Panneerselvam paid their last respects to the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister at Rajaji Hall. TN CM E Palaniswami addressed the gathering at Rajaji Hall, paying tribute to the former chief minister.

Rajinikanth, and son-in-law and actor Dhanush paid their last respects to Karunanidhi at Rajaji Hall.

As his supporters gathered at Rajaji Hall, the DMK chief’s mortal remains were wrapped in the tricolour.

RK Nagar MLA and AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran is also at Rajaji Hall. Thousands line up for a glimpse of Karunanidhi.

As the DMK supremo’s mortal remains were placed at Rajaji Hall, thousands of supporters flocked to catch a glimpse of their Kalaignar one last time.

The late DMK supremo’s mortal remains arrived at Rajaji Hall a little after 5.30 pm, flanked by heavy police presence and supporters of the DMK.

Sons MK Stalin and Alagiri also reached the hall.

Karunanidhi’s mortal remains began their final journey from daughter Kanimozhi’s CIT Colony home to Rajaji hall where they will be kept for the public to pay their respects.

Senior Congress leader visited Kanimozhi’s CIT Colony residence and paid his last respects to the DMK supremo in the wee hours of 8 August.

“When Anna (former Tamil Nadu CM Annadurai) was there to safeguard & promote general Kazhagam, there were two brothers- Kalaignar (M Karunanidhi) & MGR, and to see all three of them at one place would have been good,” actor Kamal Haasan said in a statement to ANI.

Police resorted to lathi-charges to control the crowd gathered outside Kanimozhi's residence in CIT Colony where mortal remains of former Tamil Nadu CM M Karunanidhi are kept.

The late DMK chief’s mortal remains arrived at daughter Kanimozhi’s residence in CIT Colony after supporters broke through the gates of his Gopalapuram residence in a bid to see him one last time.

DMK Spokesperson A Saravanan hit out at the TN Government for “putting up legal hurdles” and said that the government was playing vendetta politics instead of taking responsibility for the law and order situation in the state.

The Madras High Court adjourned hearing a plea challenging Tamil Nadu government’s denial of land at Marina beach for the former chief minister’s burial to 8 am on 8 August. The Tamil Nadu government had sought time to file its reply in the matter.

DMK cadre and supporters entered Karunanidhi’s Gopalapuram residence compound after forcibly opening the gate, CNN News18 reported.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik expressed deep grief over the sad demise of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M. Karunanidhi, ANI reported.

The CM has prayed peace and tranquillity for the departed soul and expressed deep sympathies with the family members.

VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan demands Bharat Ratna for former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, ANI reported.

As Karunanidhi’s mortal remains arrived at his Gopalapuram residence MK Stalin penned a tribute to his father, sharing the same on Twitter.

DMK Spokesperson Saravanan accuses the BJP and RSS of denying land for Karunanidhi’s burial at Marina beach.

Advocate Duraiswamy, who had challenged burials at Marina Beach has withdrawn all petitions, ANI reported.

“I withdraw all cases in this regard because Kalaignar Karunanidhi is important for us. So now, there are no legal hurdles for government,” said Duraiswamy.

“The place where Anna Samadhi is there does not fall under the coastal regulatory zone. Yet, this is being used by the TN government to deny Kalaignar his final resting place. That is why I am withdrawing all four petitions,” he said, as quoted by TNM.

The Bihar Government has announced a two day state mourning in the wake of M Karunanidhi's death

Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth on Tuesday, 7 August arrived at Gopalapuram to pay last respects to DMK supremo M Karunanidhi.

Assistant Advocate General of TN Aravind Pandian will argue the case for TN govt. A two member bench comprising of Justice HG Ramesh and Justice SS Sundaram will hear the case. The state has reportedly engaged Supreme Court Senior Counsel CS Vaidyanathan.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee arrives at Gopalapuram to pay respects to Karunanidhi.

DMK counsel arrives at the acting Chief Justice’s house for hearing on the plea challenging the Tamil Nadu government’s denial for land at Marina Beach for Karunanidhi’s burial.

The mortal remains of DMK supremo M Karunanidhi arrived at his Gopalapuram residence. The mortal remains will reportedly be kept there before being taken to Kanimozhi’s residence at CIT colony.

Karunanidhi's body will be brought to Rajaji Hall in the Government Estate at 4 AM tomorrow.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to back the DMK’s demand for a burial at Marina Beach.

Veteran leader LK Advani expressed condolences calling Karunanidhi a man of committed ideals.

“Karunanidhi was a man of committed ideals, he excelled in the field of politics and had also made valuable contributions to Tamil literature, having written stories, novels and multiple volumes of memoirs,” he said in a statement.

Petrol bunks in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to remain shut from 6 am to 6 pm on Wednesday, KP Murari, President of Tamil Nadu Petroleum Dealers Association, told TNM.

National flag to fly at half mast on Wednesday in Delhi and all state capitals. It has also been decided to accord state funeral tomorrow in Chennai and national mourning has been declared for tomorrow.

DMK sympathisers on two wheelers forcibly shut down stores and called for a bandh. 5,000 police personnel have been deployed in Chennai.

Madras High Court acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G. Ramesh agrees to hear by 10:30 pm today a case against denial of burial land by Tamil Nadu Govt at Marina beach for Karunanidhi.

Ambulance carrying Karunanidhi's mortal remains leaves from Kauvery Hospital for his Gopalapuram residence.

A delegation of DMK lawyers is at the residence of Madras High Court Acting Chief Justice HG Ramesh, asking for an emergency hearing of a petition demanding burial at Marina Beach.

M Karunanidhi’s mortal remains are being taken out of the Kauvery Hospital, The News Minute reported.

DMK workers protest outside Kauvery hospital after Tamil Nadu government denied land for Karunanidhi memorial at Marina beach.

DMP party workers and supporters chanted slogans of “we want Marina” outside Karunanidhi’s Gopalapuram residence, demanding for their leader to be buried at Marina Beach instead of Gandhi Mandapam as offered by the state government.

The Tamil Nadu government gave a 6-point reply to Karunanidhi's family's request to have him buried at Marina beach next to Annadurai. The government has offered two acres land for his burial at the Gandhi Mandapam.

Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan expressed condolences.

“He was a great leader, who worked for the downtrodden. It is a big loss for the whole country,” said Mahajan.

“He had shown the path to regional parties, its a tragic moment for his workers and those who loved him. He was a mature leader and a statesman. Pray to almighty that his soul rests in peace,” said Deve Gowda.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi along with senior party leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mukul Wasnik will travel to Chennai on Wednesday, ANI reported.

Union Minister Rajnath Singh said that Karunanidhi’s demise is a monumental loss to India.

MK Stalin in a statement has appealed to DMK workers to maintain peace and discipline and thanked doctors and the management of Kauvery Hospital.

The DMK has submitted a request to the Tamil Nadu government for Karunanidhi to be buried near the Anna memorial at Chennai’s Marina Beach.

“We had met the CM and submitted a request for a 'Samadhi' near Anna memorial, he had accepted our request then, but has not communicated anything in this regard till now,” DMK leader Durai Murugan said.

Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswami said that he was saddened by Karunanidhi’s death.

“It is saddening to know about the demise of M Karunanidhi . The DMK chief was someone who had contributed to the fields of politics,cinema and literature,” he said in a statement.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences on Twitter, saying that India had lost a great son.

PM Narendra Modi will travel to Chennai on Wednesday morning to pay his last respects to Karunanidhi.

Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth, while expressing condolences, said that it was a black day in his life.

“Today is a black day in my life, one which I can never forget as I lost my Kalaignar. I pray for his soul,” said Rajinikanth.

Tamil Nadu government declares one day holiday and one week mourning following Karunanidhi's demise, The News Minute reported.

Karunanidhi's mortal remains will be taken to his residence in Gopalapuram and also likely to Rajathiammal and Kanimozhi's residence in CIT colony, The News Minute reported.

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) services to Tamil Nadu have been stopped temporarily.

DMK party president and former chief minister of Tamil Nadu M Karunanidhi passed away at the Kauvery Hospital in Chennai on Tuesday, 7 August. The party supremo was undergoing treatment for his deteriorating health due to a urinary tract infection.

Tamil Nadu Cinema Theatre Owners’ Federation head Abiramari Ramanathan announced that evening and night shows in theatres stand cancelled.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will leave for Chennai shortly to meet Karunanidhi, ANI Reported

Karunanidhi's daughter Selvi reaches Gopalapuram residence.

Congress National Spokesperson Khushboo arrives at Kauvery Hospital to visit Karunanidhi.

Higher police officials visited Rajarathnam stadium in Chennai and are examining security measures, sources told The Quint. All TASMAC shops will reportedly remain closed after 6 pm.

Police force has been beefed up near Karunanidhi's house at Gopalapuram, sources told The Quint. Reserve police force has been brought in and stationed all around Kauvery Hospital area.

According to the health bulletin released by Kauvery Hospital at 4.30 pm, Karunanidhi’s condition is “critical and unstable” and his “vital organs continue to deteriorate”.

All DSPs, inspectors and sub-inspectors have been directed to report to their respective city/district COP or SPs on grounds of maintaining a law and order situation, according to reports.

MK Stalin met Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palaniswami at his Greenways Road residence in Chennai, sources told The Quint. Kanimozhi and Alagiri have reportedly accompanied him. Security has also been beefed up outside the hospital.

DMK leader and Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi met the various supporters gathered outside Chennai's Kauvery Hospital, where the DMK chief is undergoing treatment, in the wee hours of Tuesday, 7 August.

Police deployment outside Kauvery Hospital was intensified as more supporters gathered to pray for the DMK supremo’s health.

Former Union Minister TR Baalu arrived at Kauvery hospital in the early hours of Tuesday, 7 August, The Hindu reported. He was the latest in a series of leaders to pay a visit to the DMK chief in the hospital.

DMK Leaders TKS Elangovan and Tiruchi Siva returned to Kauvery Hospital from New Delhi, as per Thanthi TV.

More supporters flocked to Kauvery Hospital in the intervening nights of 6 and 7 August, waiting to catch a glimpse of Karunanidhi.

Supporters of the DMK supremo flock to Kauvery Hospital following the medical bulletin about Karunanidhi’s health condition.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari arrives at Chennai’s Kauvery Hospital to visit Karunanidhi

In the latest medical bulletin, Chennai’s Kauvery Hospital announced that DMK President Karunanidhi’s medical condition has declined.