DMK working president MK Stalin with family members during DMK chief M Karunanidhi's funeral ceremony at Anna Memorial, in Chennai. (Image: PTI)
No Hindu rituals were performed as Karunanidhi was a self-proclaimed atheist and rationalist.
In poignant scenes, Stalin was seen crying inconsolably after touching his father's feet before the casket containing Karunanidhi's body was lowered into the grave. (PTI)
Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK patriarch has been laid to rest close to the memorial dedicated to his mentor CN Annadurai at the Marina beach.
The final rites have begun.
Karunanidhi’s family members are now paying their last respects.
The national flag, in which Karunanidhi’s mortal remains were draped in, has been handed over to his son Stalin.
Former TamilNaduchief ministerKarunanidhiis being accorded a 21-gun salute.
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit is paying his last respects to Karunanidhi.
Various leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamyare paying their last respects.
Karunanidhi’s mortal remains are now being shifted to the casket. The casket reads, 'Man who never rested is now resting'.
Karunanidhi’s mortal remains have reached the burial site at Anna Memorial.
Close members of Karunanidhi’s family and a number of dignitaries are already present at the burial site at Marina beach.
Stalin, Kanimozhi, Selviand Alagiri have reached the Anna Memorial. Rahul Gandhi, HD Deve Gowda and others are also present there.
Rahul Gandhi pays homage to Karunanidhi
Congress President Rahul Gandhi paid homage to Karunanidhi at the Rajaji Hall earlier today.
Gandhi, accompanied by TNCC president Su Thirunavukkarasar, among others, briefly interacted with Karunanidhi's son and DMK working president Stalin and laid a wreath before the mortal remains of Karunanidhi.
Expressing grief over the death, Gandhi had said that the DMK patriarch strode the stage of Tamil politics like a colossus for six decades, according to PTI.
Karunanidhi was like a father figure to me: Sonia Gandhi to Stalin
UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi today termed the death of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi as a "personal loss", saying he was like a "father figure" to her and the country has become poorer without his wise statesmanship.
In a letter to Karunanidhi's son and DMK chief M K Stalin, Gandhi said 'Kalaignar' was a towering figure in the world of politics and public service in both Tamil Nadu and the country.
"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.
"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," she also said. (PTI)
The gun carriage is expected to reach the Anna Memorial in around 15 minutes. The funeral procession has been moving slower than expected due to the large number of people lined up along the route.
Why did the TN government deny land on Marina Beach for Karunanidhi's burial?
The state government's Chief Secretary had told the press that land could not be allocated for burial on Kamarajar Salai due to several related cases pending in Madras High Court.
The Indian national flag flies half mast at Parliament. Government of India had on Tuesday accorded a full state funeralfor Karunanidhi. (Image: PTI)
The funeral procession is currentlynear theTamil Nadu Government Multi Super Specialty Hospital on Anna Salai. The procession has been moving slowly due to a very large crowd along the route.
Karunanidhi’s son and DMK working president Stalin is accompanying the gun carriage.
Supporters mourn as they arrive to pay their last respects to DMK chief M Karunanidhi at Rajaji Hall in Chennai. (Image: PTI)
People have lined up along the Wallahjah Road on which the funeral procession is currently moving on.
Karunanidhi's funeral procession begins, Kalaignar's body being moved to Marina
The final procession to moveKarunanidhi's mortal remains to the burial site in Marina Beach has started from Rajaji Hall. Lakhs of people have come down on the streets of Chennai with most standing at the locations since last evening.
MK Stalin is being accompanied and held up by family members and supporters as he walks along with the body of his father Karunanidhi.
Thousands of people mourn Karunanidhi at the Rajaji Hall as the Kalaignar's body is loaded on a truck to take him to the Anna Memorial.
People in large numbers havegathered at the Rajaji Hall. A number of DMK supportersare seen marching towardsthe Marina beach.
Karunanidhi's body is being placed on a truck to take him to the Anna Memorial in Marina Beach.
DMK patriarch Karunanidhi's body, draped in the Tricolour,is being moved by Army personnel on their shoulders, reports CNN News18. Karunanidhi is being taken from the Rajaji Hall to the Marina Beach.
DMK leader A Raja arrives at Anna Memorial ahead of Karunanidhi's burial at the Marina Beach.
When Karunanidhi had helped fund a school and library in Mumbai
Karunanidhi had helped fund a school and library in Mumbai 35 years ago, reports PTI.DMK Mumbai unit in charge R Palaniswamy said the unit invited Karunanidhi. "Not only did he accept our invitation, but also evinced keen interest in our activities and needs," he said.
Man who never rested is now resting'
'
These are words on Karunanidhi's casket read: 'The man who never rested is now resting.'
Sri Lanka President expresses sorrow over Karunanidhi's demise
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena expresses sorrow at the demise of Karunanidhi. "The death of M Karunanidhi, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and senior politician, deeply disturbed me. I express my deepest sympathy for everyone, including his family and supporters who have been saddened by the loss of Anna," Sirisena tweets.
Preparation for M Karunanidhi's burial begins
Preparations for M Karunanidhi's burial have begun. The funeral will be executed at 4 pm. The DMK patriarch will be buried near Anna Samadhi — the memorial of his mentor C N Annadurai.
JUST IN |
The Supreme Court refuses to entertain the plea filed by Traffic Ramaswamy seeking astay on the last rites of M Karunanidhi at theMarina beach. Ramaswamy had moved the Supreme Court against the Madras High Court order which allowed to perform the last rites of MKarunanidhi at the Marina beach.
A drone is reportedly monitoring the movements of thecrowd on Kamarajar Salai.
JUST IN |
An army convoy with gun carriage arrives at the Rajaji Hall.
Service road on Marina is slowly getting filled up with vehicles of party cadres. Vehicles from Parrys Corner have no more access to Kamarajar Salai, as the stretch is covered with party cadres standing on the median and the road too, reports the Times of India.
"This void left by Karunanidhi's death cannot be filled up by any political leader. It's a great loss for the country. May god give peace to his soul," says Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Lost an icon of social justice, says Veerappa Moily on Karunanidhi
"Not only his children and grandchildren, we have lost an icon of socialjustice," said Congress leader Veerappa Moilyafter paying tributes to Karunanidhi.
Karunanidhi successfully lead Tamil Nadu for 50 years, says Prakash Javadekar
"The demise of Karunanidhi is matter of grief for the country. For 50 years he lead Tamil Nadu successfully," saysUnion Minister Prakash Javadekaron Karunanidhidemise.
Karunanidhi was an iconic leader, says Ghulam Nabi Azad
"He was the only politician who has so many qualities. He always thought to poor, downtrodden people, social justice and equality. Being leader of opposition, party leader, he was known across the country. Today, he is no more but his life will remain a guiding light for all of us," says Ghulam Nabi Azad, adding that it is a great loss to the country.
'He is the torchbearer of Tamil Nadu farmers' freedom', says MS Swaminathan on Karunanidhi, reports The News Minute.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and State Governor Justice (Retd.) Sadhasivam pay tributes to Karunanidhi. Kerala Oppositon leader Ramesh Chennithala joins them in the same vehicle to Rajaji Hall.Congress leaders Gulam Nabi Azad, Veerappa Moily, and K VThankabalualso pay respects to Karunanidhi.
Ghulam Nabi Azad calls
loss of Karunanidhi 'devastating', says DMK and Congress arefamily
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters at Chennai airport that he had known Karunanidhi since he was a young Congress worker and has always thought of him as a model leader. Calling his loss devastating, he said that DMK and the Congress are a family and the coalition will continue.
2 dead at stampede outside Rajaji Hall
A man and a woman, both 60 years old, were killed duringa stampede at the RajajiHall. The woman has been identified as Shenbagam, while identity of the man is yet to be ascertained.
RJD leader and Lalu Prasad Yadav's son Tejashwi Yadav and Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadavalong with Karunanidhi's son MK Stalin at Rajaji Hall. "From the age of 14 till the end of his life, Karunanidhi lived for the people," says AkhileshYadav, adding thatthe late DMK leader was a champion of the poor.
Indian national flag flies half-mast at Rashtrapati Bhavan after the demise of DMK chief. (Image courtesy: PTI)
2 killed, 30 injured in
stampedeatRajajiHallTwo dead, 30 others are injured in astampede at the Rajaji Hall in Chennai, where the DMK supporters were gathered to pay respects to the former DMKleader Karunanidhi, reports the Times of India. Additional 30 have sustained injuries.
