A discussion in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly focused on a long-standing claim: whether former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi refused to allot space at Chennai’s Marina for the burial of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj.
DMK leader Thangam Thennarasu said Congress MLA Tarakai Kathbat had stated that permission was denied when Karunanidhi was Chief Minister. He recalled that Kamaraj died on the morning of October 2, 1975, and said Karunanidhi visited Kamaraj’s residence immediately to pay respects.
According to Thennarasu, Congress leaders were then discussing burial at the Congress grounds in Teynampet, while Karunanidhi suggested that Kamaraj, as a national leader, should be laid to rest with due honour and a memorial built. He said Kamaraj’s body was brought to Rajaji Hall for public homage with state honours, and a request was made to bury him near Gandhi Mandapam and build a memorial there.
Thennarasu further said Karunanidhi visited Gandhi Mandapam along with leaders including Dindivanam Ramamurthy, Opposition Leader Rajaram Naidu and Education Minister Nedunchezhiyan, and personally helped clear the area in heavy rain, using a car’s headlights due to lack of lighting. He also cited later recognitions during the DMK government, including naming the Marina Beach Road as Kamarajar Salai and the unveiling of Kamaraj’s portrait in the Assembly.
Speaker Prabhakar said he allowed the historical note to be read so younger generations could know such details, and urged that the issue not be prolonged. Tarakai Kathbat responded that she had not said Karunanidhi did nothing, but maintained that when they asked, they did not get the requested permission, adding she would submit her version of the history later.
