DMK chief Kalaignar M Karunanidhi passed away on Tuesday evening, at 6.10 pm. He was 94 years old.
Thousands of DMK cadre gathered outside Kauvery Hospital as news of his deteriorating health spread. As more people gathered outside on hearing of his death, Karunanidhi’s son and DMK Working President MK Stalin released a statement appealing for calm and appreciating the work of doctors and staff at Kauvery Hospital.
Read the full statement here:
I request our party brothers and sisters to maintain peace and discipline and help us uphold Kalaignar's glory forever.
At this trying time filled with grief, at a time when we have lost our leader who lives in the hearts of Tamils across the world, who lives in every breath of crores of party cadre, I request all of you, dear brothers and sisters, to walk on the path of duty, dedication and discipline that Arignar Anna and Thalaivar Kalaignar have shown us. I humbly request you to not give any space for any unfortunate incidents, and maintain peace.
Chennai’s Kauvery Hospital's doctors and staff have given their best to give the best healthcare to our loved leader for the last one and a half years. For the last 11 days, they have worked day and night to take care of Thalaivar Kalaignar's health while he was admitted to the Kauvery Hospital. This is commendable. All of us are duty bound to give our heartfelt thanks to the staff and doctors at Kauvery Hospital.
As a mark of that, I request that all those gathered at the hospital premises to disperse without causing any hinderance or mishaps. I request party administrators to take care of that.
Thalaivar Karunanidhi has held CM post for five times. He has been party president for 50 years and has steered us well for half a century, shaping us into future sepoys of TN. In this 100-year-old Dravidian movement, for three quarters of a century he has worked towards creating soldiers, instilling self-respect, pride and ambitions in Tamil people’s hearts.
There is no one to replace or equal him today. His principles and ambitions and discipline that he taught us runs in our blood like a perennial river. It will guide us.
Thalaivar is the hero of this great life dedicated for public service. In this hour of great need, we should behave well. Nothing should taint his fame. No one should be a hindrance for the people or public property, this is my request.
