Tamil Nadu government has said that it will allocate two acres inside Gandhi mandapam, opposite to Anna University instead of allocating space on Kamarajar Salai next to Anna Memorial.
The decision comes from the Chief Secretary’s office on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. Earlier in the evening, MK Stalin, MK Alagiri, Kanimozhi and other senior members of DMK had met TN CM Edappadi Palaniswami requesting him for a place near the memorial of former Chief Minister CN Annadurai on the Kamarajar Salai, adjacent to Marina beach.
In his letter to the Chief Minister, Stalin had said that in the light of Karunanidhi's service to Tamil Nadu and its people, he should be buried at the Anna Memorial in Marina.
In the press release by the Chief Secretary, the state government has mentioned that due to legal issues surrounding the building of memorials on Marina beach, it is not possible for the government to allocate land there. Instead, the government is ready to give two acres on Sardar Patel road, inside Gandhi mandapam, to lay Karunanidhi to rest, next to Rajaji and former Chief Minister K Kamaraj.
The press release also conveyed the following decisions taken by the Tamil Nadu Government on Karunanidhi's death are --
1. Rajaji Hall will be provided for his final journey.
2. One day mourning will be observed on August 8.
3. He will be given full state honours and a military salute. His body will be wrapped in the Indian flag, and the flag will fly at half mast.
4. Seven-day mourning for Tamil Nadu government, and all government functions will be cancelled.
5. This will be notified in the TN government gazette.
6. Since there are several cases ongoing on the burials in Marina, and there are legal implications, it is not possible to bury him in Marina. instead, the family will be given 2 acres at Gandhi Mandapam, opposite Anna University in Guindy, where Kamarajar and Rajaji were buried.
On Tuesday, a petitioner, who had sought a plea to stop construction of new memorials at Marina, withdrew her petition and the Madras high court declared it as withdrawn.
DMK president and five-time Chief Minister M Karunanidhi passed away on Tuesday, at the age of 94 due to age-related complications.