A WhatsApp rumour has been doing the rounds that M Karunanidhi, the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister who died on Tuesday, had denied the burial of K Kamaraj at Marina Beach.
The WhatsApp rumour that has been doing the rounds since Tuesday after a row erupted after the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu rejected the demand of the DMK, its long-standing political rival in state politics, for land on the famed sands of the Marina beach where he could be buried.
A tweet has, however, debunked these rumours. "Rumour machines reworking overtime. Now, a popular WhatsApp rumour suggests Kalaingar denied burial of Kamaraj in Marina Beach. Kamarajar was cremated, not buried. Congress contemplated cremating him in Teynampet (an area in Chennai). Kalaingar intervened and ensured he is cremated with state honours in Gandhi Mandapam. A Mani Mandapam was also built for him. It is interesting to note that when MGR unveiled a portrait of Kamaraj in the TN Assembly and Kalaingar was asked to suggest words to be etched below the portrait. In his last term as CM, Kalaingar has made it a point to celebrate Kamarajar's birthday. Rumour boys, better luck next time," the tweet says.
Kamaraj, who was a senior Congress leader, was nicknamed ‘Kingmaker’, as he was instrumental in navigating the party after the death of Jawaharlal Nehru. Having himself suffered from school deprivation, in Tamil Nadu, his home state, he is still remembered for bringing school education to millions of the rural poor by introducing free education and the free Midday Meal Scheme during his tenure as chief minister.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Tamil Nadu government on Thursday morning told the Madras High Court, "Tamil Nadu govt to Court: All former chief ministers given space in Gandhi Mandapam for the memorial. Only those who deceased when they were serving chief ministers get Marina Beach. This is according to established precedent and protocol. Kamaraj, Rajaji, Bhakthavatsalam given memorial space near Gandhi Mandapam. Karunanidhi himself understood the protocol. When he was CM in 1996, former chief minister Janaki Ramachandran, wife of MGR, was buried in her residence Ramawaram gardens and not Marina. Govt cites file notings of this decision.
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 "M Karunanidhi passed away on Tuesday")
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