Karunanidhi had died on Tuesday in Chennai
DMK patriarch and former Tamil Nadu chief minister, M Karunanidhi has been buried at Chennai's Marina Beach near his mentor CN Annadurai's grave. His body was taken to Chennai's Marina Beach for burial from Rajaji Hall. A huge crowd of supporters joined the funeral procession. This was after the Madras High Court granted permission for Karunanidhi's burial at Marina beach. The DMK patriarch was buried at Anna Square memorial. Senior political leaders like Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu were present at the burial ground for the funeral.
M Karunanidhi died on Tuesday in Chennai. He was 94. Actor Rajinikanth and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited his house. The Tamil Nadu government announced a seven-day mourning in his honour.
Here are the highlights from Karunanidhi's funeral:
Muthuvel Karunanidhi, a doyen of Dravidian politics, was today buried on the Marina Beach. The 94-year-old leader had breathed his last at a hospital here after fighting for life for 11 days. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, and his Kerala, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh counterparts Pinarayi Vijayan, K Chandrasekhar Rao and N Chandrababu Naidu were in attendance at the funeral.
M Karunanidhi, DMK patriarch and former Tamil Nadu chief minister, has been buried at Chennai's Marina Beach.
M Karunanidhi's casket is being lowered into the grave.
M Karunanidhi's casket has been closed for burial.
DMK workers raise emotive slogans at Marina Beach. They are saying:
"He lives, he continues to live
Our beloved man
He can never die
This land, Our kalaignar's land"
Family members are paying their last tribute to M Karunanidhi.MK Stalin received the national flag that covered his body during the funeral procession.
M Karunanidhi's body taken off the truck for burial
Body of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi reaches Marina Beach for funeral.
Several important political personalities are attending the funeral of M Karunanidhi. Congress President Rahul Gandhi, former PM HD Deve Gowda, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu are among the leaders attending the funeral.
The Congress government in Puducherry today extended three-day mourning to seven days following the death of DMK leader M Karunanidhi. A cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister V Narayanasamy took the decision.
M Karunanidhi's body will be buried near to the grave of his mentor and DMK founder, CN Annadurai at Chennai's "Anna Square" memorial
As per M Karunanidhi's wish, the wordings -- "The person who had worked without rest is resting here" -- has been sculpted on the casket
The funeral procession could take 2 hours to reach Marina Beach, where M Karunanidhi will be buried.
Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi termed the death of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi as a "personal loss". In a letter to Karunanidhi's son MK Stalin, she said Karunanidhi was like a father figure to her.
"For me, Kalaignar's loss is very personal. He always showed me great kindness and consideration, which I can never forget. He was like a father figure to me," she wrote in the letter.
"We shall not see the like of Kalaignar again, and our nation is poorer without his wise statesmanship, and his dedication to our country and our people".
Emotional scenes were witnessed today in Chennai. When the Madras High Court gave permission for the burial of M Karunanidhi at Marina Beach, Karunanidhi's son MK Stalin broke down.
Slogans like "Kalaignar pugazh vazhga vazhgavey" (long live the glory of Karunanidhi) are being raised at Karunanidhi's funeral procession.
Sobbing family members, including the late leader's sons M K Stalin and Tamizharasu, are present in the procession.
Hundreds of people sporting black shirts and carrying pictures and banners of the late leader followed the hearse.
Karunanidhi's body is draped in the national flag.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu paid rich tribute to M Karunanidhi. He said nobody could fill this gap.
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad paid homage to M Karunanidhi. He said Karunanidhi was a national icon and one of the greatest leaders of the country.
M Karunanidhi led the DMK for the past five decades. He was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for 19 years spread over five tenures.
Several chief ministers and political leaders paid tribute to late DMK chief M Karunanidhi at the Rajaji Hall in Chennai today.
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and senior party leader Prakash Karat, CPI national secretary D Raja, former chief ministers of Kerala and Uttar Pradesh, Oommen Chandy and Akhilesh Yadav respectively, were among the leaders who paid tribute to the DMK leader.
Huge crowd of supporters turns out for Karunanidhi's funeral procession
M Karunanidhi's final journey begins from Chennai's Rajaji Hall. He will be buried at Chennai's Marina Beach.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, NCP President Sharad Pawar and Congress leader Praful Patel pay tribute to M Karunanidhi in Chennai
Earlier today, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday paid homage to M Karunanidhi at Chennai's Rajaji Hall. Mr Gandhi, accompanied by TNCC president Su Thirunavukkarasar, among others, briefly interacted with M Karunanidhi's son and DMK working president MK Stalin.
In the wake of M Karunanidhi's death, the Delhi Assembly was adjourned for Wednesday.
All the lawmakers paid their tributes to the DMK leader who passed away on Tuesday evening at the age of 94 years.
"Karunanidhi considered his conscience as his God. This is a very strong message at a time when the society is being divided in the name of religion," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said.
A PTI report said that M Karunanidhi had once helped to fund a school and library in Mumbai. DMK Mumbai unit incharge R Palaniswamy remembered the 35-year-old incident.
"Not only did he accept our invitation, but also evinced keen interest in our activities and needs," he said.
"We told him about non-availability of a community school in the Tamil-dominated Dharavi area. We also told him that lack of funds was a major factor in construction of the school," he said.
"He asked senior party members to do the needful and ensure that the school is opened. Due to his proactive support, our branch got enough funds which not only helped us build the school, but also purchase office space and books for the school library," he added.
Vaiko arrives at Anna Memorial for M Karunanidhi's burial
The Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea, filed by Traffic Ramaswamy, seeking stay on the last rites of M Karunanidhi at Chennai's Marina Beach, reports ANI.
Earlier today, the Madras High Court ruled that M Karunanidhi can be buried at Chennai's Marina Beach. A DMK lawyer said ,"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".
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor P. Sathasivam, and Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala paid tribute to the DMK Chief at Rajaji Hall.
BREAKING NEWS: 2 dead, 33 injured in scuffle and stampede outside Chennai's Rajaji hall. reported news agency ANI.
For the funeral processions at 4pm, preparations have begun. From bagpipes players to huge posters of Karunanidhi, the preparations are in full form. Earlier a scuffle broke after people reportedly broke cordon leading to lathi charge by the police.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao also arrived at Rajaji Hall to pay tribute to Karunanidhi.
FLASH: Karunanidhi's final journey is to begin at 4pm from Rajaji Hall.
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has also reached Chennai's Rajaji Hall to pay his tributes to the DMK supremo. Earlier, he had also tweeted in favour of Karunanidhi's burial at Marina Beach. He referred to his death as India's loss of a "great son" and extended his condolences to the DMK leader's family and the "millions of Indians" mourning for him.
In the meanwhile, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav and Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav have also reached the venue to pay homage to Karunanidhi.
After MK Stalin appeals for peace at Rajaji Hall, a scuffle may have broken out. People reportedly climbed on walls after police closed the entrance gates to Rajaji hall. Police then lathi-charged the crowd reportedly after they broke cordon. A few people have been reportedly injured. There was a stampede of the grief-stricken crowd as well. It is not yet clear how many have been injured in the incident.
BREAKING : There has been a lathi-charge by the police at Rajaji Hall. There is a stampede at the venue and a few are reportedly injured.
Karunanidhi's coffin has been photographed by news agency ANI. On the coffin, it says "A person who continued to work without rest, now lays rested."
Pointers from MK Stalin addressing the crowd outside Rajaji Hall:- He requested the cadre to remain calm, and said he did not want anything for himself
- All I want is a fitting tribute to Kalaignar, said MK Stalin
- Those who are in power are trying to create chaos, but you have all shown the strength of the cadre, he said.
- MK Stalin appealed to everyone to maintain peace
MK Stalin addressed the huge crowd gathered outside Rajaji Hall who had come to pay tribute to Karunanidhi. MK Stalin had broken down previously after the High Court verdict allowing Karunanidhi to be buried in Marina Beach. PM Modi was among the large number of visitors who came to pay homage to the DMK leader. Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan were among others who paid their last tributes to the former chief minister.
People have started climbing walls in an attempt to enter Rajaji Hall after police blocked the hall entrance due to a massive crowd, news agency ANI reported.
After the court gave a nod to Karunanidhi's burial in Marina Beach, construction work has begun. Bulldozers and a large number of men are at work at the beach.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was unhappy yesterday, as the government did not allow the Marina beach burial. She said she had also called the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister but he was unavailable. She also spoke with PM Modi in this regard, news agency ANI reported.
Yesterday, Mamata Banerjee went to pay respects to Karunanidhi at their residence. She spoke of him with high regard and said he was the senior most leader & politician, legendary figure. She also mourned for the loss.
Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien will be representing Trinamool Congress at the funeral of Karunanidhi in Chennai, ANI reported.
PM Modi tweeted after paying his tributes to Karunanidhi in Chennai. He said, "In Chennai, I paid tributes to an extraordinary leader and a veteran administrator whose life was devoted to public welfare and social justice. Kalaignar Karunanidhi will live on in the hearts and minds of the millions of people whose lives were transformed by him." The tweet also had a few pictures of him paying homage and him speaking MK Stalin and other family members of the DMK patriarch.
PM Modi arrived from New Delhi accompanied by a few leaders. He was seen speaking with MK Stalin and other family members of Karunanidhi. He paid respects to the DMK patriarch and was also seen consoling MK Stalin.
PM Modi speaks with MK Stalin, DMK leaders after paying his last respects to M Karunanidhi in Chennai. The DMK leader will be buried at Marina Beach in Chennai. Watch PM Modi speaking to MK Stalin in an ANI reported video here:
After Madras High Court judgment that Karunanidhi will be buried at Marina Beach, DMK supporters gathered outside Anna Memorial. JCB machines have also reached the spot.
PM Modi paid tribute to late DMK chief M Karunanidhi at the Rajaji Hall here today and briefly met members of his family. PM Modi laid a wreath at Karunanidhi's feet and bowed before his body, paying his respect to the late leader.
He later consoled the DMK chief's family members, including his wife Rajathi and son M K Stalin. He spoke with them briefly and gently patted MK Stalin on the back in an apparent gesture of consolation.
PM Modi arrived from New Delhi by a special flight and was accompanied by Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and state unit leaders of the BJP, besides those of the DMK and the AIADMK.
A huge gathering of DMK members and supporters of M Karunanidhi have gathered at Rajaji Hall to bid their "Kalaignar" goodbye. Teary eyed supporters broke down and many visited his body to pay homage to the DMK patriarch.
PM Modi has arrived at Rajaji Hall to pay his last tributes to M Karunanidhi.
He interacted with MK Stalin and Kanimozhi after paying homage.
The DMK's plea for burial of Karunanidhi's body near Anna Memorial has been accepted by the Madras High Court. The court has further directed the Tamil Nadu government to ensure and establish a memorial for "Kalaignar", says V Kannadasan, DMK's lawyer.
People rejoiced after the verdict and celebrated outside Madras High Court and Rajaji Hall.
MK Stalin breaks down after Madras High Court's verdict to allow the burial of former CM M Karunanidhi at Chennai's Marina beach.
BREAKING: High Court grants permission for Karunanidhi's Marina Beach burial, says news agency PTI.
Arguments are now over in the case and acting chief justice has begun dictating the order. Karunanidhi's family have not approached the high court, Justice SS Sundar pointed out to DMK lawyer, news agency ANI reported.
Art of Living Founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar tweeted condolences for Karunanidhi describing his as a "political poet with a sense of humour". He praised Karunanidhi for his unique role in Tamil politics and said he cared for his people and kept them together through difficult times.
PM Modi has arrived in Chennai and will leave from airport to Rajaji Hall to pay his tributes.
Rapid Action Force has been deployed outside Anna Memorial at Marina Beach.
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan has reached Rajaji Hall to pay his respects to Karunanidhi:
A huge crowd has gathered to pay homage Karunanidhi. They have been raising slogans of "long live Kalaignar" and "need Marina!".
PM Modi is to reach Rajaji Hall at 11am to pay homage to Karunanidhi. He had earlier tweeted condolences after the DMK leader's demise:
Tamil Nadu government's lawyer says "DMK is pursuing political agenda by filing this case. DK Chief Periyar was the tallest leader of Dravidian movement. Was he buried at Marina beach?" news agency ANI reported.
Visuals of heavy security outside Anna Memorial at Marina beach. Hearing in the case against denial of burial land by Tamil Nadu government at Marina beach for M Karunanidhi is underway at Madras High Court: news agency ANI
DMK's lawyer says, "There are 1 crore DMK followers in Tamil Nadu out of 7 crore population of the state. They'll be offended if burial land is not allotted for Karunanidhi at Marina beach," news agency ANI reported.
DMK's lawyer says burying Karunanidhi next to Gandhi Mandapam cannot be termed as a "decent burial".
We demand that Bharat Ratna be conferred upon him. We also demand that his memorial be made near Anna Samadhi: VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan
Deepa Jayakumar pays last respects to M Karunanidhi:
Court records contents of counter affidavit filed by state Government who tells Court, DMK can't challenge press release by Government expressing inability to allot space at Marina beach for Karunanidhi.
Tamil Nadu Government states in its counter affidavit that DMK chief Karunanidhi himself didn't allot land for former CM Janaki Ramachandran after understanding the protocol manual when Karunanidhi was the CM.
VCK President pays last tribute to Karunanidhi:
Madras High Court Acting Chief Justice records in his order, submissions made by DMK organising secretary RS Bharathi in his affidavit seeking burial land at Marina beach for Karunanidhi.
Case against denial of burial land by Tamil Nadu government at Marina beach for M Karunanidhi: Madras High Court dismisses petitions filed by Traffic Ramaswamy, K Balu and Duraisamy challenging construction of memorials at Marina beach.
Wrapped in tricolor, the body has been kept at the hall for the public to pay homage. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam visited Rajaji Hall to pay their respect to the DMK chief.
Rajinikanth and his family paid their last respects to Karunanidhi in Rajaji Hall.
Various political leaders paid their last tributes to Karunanidhi. People from different walks of life --actors, industrialists and others -- also paid homage to their departed leader, whose body has been kept at Rajaji Hall.