Across the temple city on Wednesday, residents clad in black shirts gathered under small shamianas to watch the funeral procession of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on their TV sets and mourn his death.
The roads were deserted as few motorists took to the streets.
After the announcement of the DMK supremo’s demise on Tuesday evening, the State government declared a public holiday on Wednesday.
Hence, courts, Government institutions, schools and colleges remained closed. Shops , barring medical stores, cinema halls and restaurants downed their shutters. Ditto with Tasmac shops.
Major business centres, including most of central Madurai, postponed their business operations.
Except for a few autorickshaws and ‘share’ autos, most vehicles stayed off the roads until late afternoon. State-run buses had stopped services immediately following the announcement of the DMK leader’’s death. Therefore, the main bus stands in the city — Mattuthavani, Periyar and Arapalayam — did not see much movement between the bays.
Mourning: Goripalayam, a commercial hub, wears a deserted look on Wednesday.; (right) the national flag flying at half mast at the Collectorate.
Only a few nationalised banks and their ATM centres functioned. Most petrol bunks were closed. Only a handful of commuters were seen filling fuel at the available stations.
In Mela Anuppanadi, DMK cadre waited on pavements to have their heads tonsured. Said M. Thangaraj: “It is like we have lost a member of our family. He was a father-like leader for me. I was ready to sacrifice my life for him. I religiously attended aall his public meetings. This is a loss to each household in the State”.
Other members of the party evoked his name and chanted slogans.
S.P. Pichai, DMK’s ward representative, said a silent procession would be taken through the major streets of Anuppanadi. An all-party condolence meeting too would be held.
In several parts of the city, loudspeakers blared songs praising the departed leader and his role in Dravidian politics. Many autorickshaw stands also played the late leader’s speeches and paid floral tributes. Posters praising the departed leader adorned the walls of the city.
