Ending a political row between Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Tamil Nadu government, the Madras High Court on Wednesday ruled that DMK Chief M Karunanidhi can have a burial site at Chennai’s Marina Beach. “The DMK’s plea for the burial of Kalaignar’s body near Anna memorial has been accepted by the Madras High Court. The court further directed Tamil Nadu government to ensure and establish a memorial for Kalaignar,” said one of the DMK lawyers following the order. 

The order came hours after the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)-led state government had denied permission for Karunanidhi’s memorial at the Marina Beach. ” There is no prohibition under Central Government protocol to allot Marina for former Chief Ministers,” DMK advocate Wilson said in his arguments. He further said that the reason put forward by the State Government for not allowing the burial is “flinchy”, hence, should be struck down. “You (State government ) have given state mourning, then why not giving land for burial?” he continued.  The Tamil Nadu Govenment in its counter affidavit said that DMK chief Karunanidhi himself did not allot land at Marina beach to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Janaki Ramachandran. “DMK Chief Periyar is the tallest leader of Dravidian movement. Was he buried in Marina?” Vaidyanathan, Senior Counsel for Tamil Nadu Government argued. He said that DMK was pursuing political agenda by filing the Marina case.

To this DMK lawyers got agitating and started making noise that led Justice SS Sundar ask them to maintain silence. After hearing the High Courta’s order, Karunanidhi’s son MK Stalin broke down while the DMK chief’s supporters celebrated outside the court and the Rajaji Hall, where his mortal remains have been kept. Besides a string of celebrities from all quarters of life, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also arrived at the Rajaji Hall to pay homage to Karunanidhi. Central government has declared one-day national mourning in honour of the DMK leader. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the day as a mark of respect for the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. On Tuesday, the DMK filed a plea in the court after state government denied burial space for Karunanidhi near Anna Memorial at Marina beach owing to pending petitions against burial on Marina beach. Karunanidhi breathed his last on Tuesday at Chennai’s Kauvery Hospital. His funeral will be held with full state honours.

Source: ANI

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