Cries of 'Muthamizh Arignar Vaazhga’ rent the air outside Rajaji Hall as news of the Madras High Court ruling in favour of Kalaignar M Karunanidhi being buried next to his mentor, Annadurai, was announced on Wednesday morning.
Even as the High Court began reading out its judgement, Dayanidhi Maran could be seen speaking to someone on the phone. He broke down as soon as he put the phone down, and Kanimozhi and Stalin could be seen smiling.
Emotions ran high as DMK Principal Secretary Duraimurugan then announced to the thousands gathered outside Rajaji Hall that they were victorious, and that the Madras HC had ruled in their favour.
Stalin folded his hands to the crowd, and, as emotions took over, he stumbled. Kanimozhi and A Raja immediately ran forward to grab him, even as cadre cheered.
Thousands of people thronged Rajaji Hall, where Karunanidhi’s body is lying-in-state.
Controversy raged as the ruling AIADMK submitted on Tuesday evening that it could not allot land for Karunanidhi’s memorial along the Marina as there were several ongoing cases against the memorials along Marina, and it would lead to legal complications.
The DMK lawyers submitted a petition to the Acting Chief Justice HG Ramesh at his residence on Tuesday night requesting for an urgent hearing on the matter.
Emotional cadre could be heard chanting “Marina vendum” even as Karunanidhi’s body was moved from Kauvery Hospital to his residence in Gopalapuram.
The DMK was represented by senior advocates Wilson, Viduthalai, NR Ilango, Veera Kathiravan and Shanmugasundaram and the TN Government was represented by Additional Advocates General PH Arvindh Pandian, SR Rajagopal and senior Supreme Court advocate CS Vaidyanathan.
A two-Judge bench, HG Ramesh and Justice SS Sundar, heard the case and ruled in favour of Kalaignar getting a spot along Marina.