Karunanidhi denied Marina beach burial, violence erupts
What's the story
The late DMK chief, M Karunanidhi will not be buried at Marina beach alongside top Dravidian leaders, said the Tamil Nadu government. Following Karunanidhi's passing, his son MK Stalin, and other senior DMK leaders had approached CM Palaniswami, asking for a burial space in Marina beach, but the request has been denied, giving rise to violence and controversy. Here's more about it.
Why?
TN government cites pending PILs for not awarding burial spot
The Marina beach has the burial sites of iconic figures like DMK founder C 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 High Court challenging the construction of memorials on the beach.
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Where will Karunanidhi be buried then?
As of now, the Tamil Nadu government has said that it is ready to allot two acres of land on Sardar Patel road, inside Gandhi mandapam for Karunanidhi's burial. The site hosts the sarcophagi of C Rajagopalachari and former CM K Kamaraj.
Protest
Supporters have turned violent, DMK to move Madras HC tonight
Reacting to the Tamil Nadu government's decision to deny Karunanidhi a burial spot at the iconic Marina beach, DMK supporters outside the Kauvery Hospital have started ransacking police barricades and turning violent. Meanwhile, DMK leader A Saravanan has said that DMK plans to move the Madras High Court tonight itself to secure a burial spot for Karunanidhi at the Marina beach.
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The government's plans to commemorate Karunanidhi
Meanwhile, the government has also said that a day of mourning will be observed on August 8, and Karunanidhi's body will be wrapped in an Indian flag and given full state honors, and a military salute. All government functions will be cancelled for a week.