Kerala sports minister EP Jayarajan has become a trending topic on social media after a video, in which he pays tribute to the legendary American boxer Muhammad Ali, went viral on Saturday, June 4. The minister has been trolled on social media for calling the late boxer "the pride of Kerala, who had won gold medals for the state" in the video.
In the video that is doing the rounds on social media, Jayarajan was asked to react on Ali's death by a news anchor of Manorama News TV channel. "I just heard that Muhammad Ali died in America. He was a prominent sports personality in Kerala. He has won gold medal and made Kerala famous in the world of sports. I express my condolences," the minister is heard saying in the video, which has been recorded on a mobile camera by a person who was listening to the news.
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Social media users in Kerala have been sharing trolls and memes against the minister, who is now being called a replacement of former minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, who was often in news for mispronouncing names of celebrities.
The American boxer died at a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona late on Friday, June 3. He was 74 and was battling Parkinson's disease for 32 years. His funeral will be held in his hometown in Louisville, Kentucky on Monday, June 6.
Check out social media reactions to the video here:
Vishnudev Namboothiri
Feeling great to see all malayalis, irrespective of their party affinity, united in trolling sports minister E P Jayarajan. Trolling has become a very powerful weapon for common public to communicate their anger mainly towards these stupid ignorant morons
Prasad KS
It is the first time ever I have laughed while hearing a condolence message..:)
Sooraj KN
He might have announced government job to his family if they allowed him to speak more.
Kiran Chand Palakkattiri
Pride of Kerala spotting on a popular national daily. Shameful! I am so sorry, but a condolence message makes me laugh nonstop for the first time ever in my life
Anu Mohan
Here's is the first milestone after LDF Win
Jaison Neravath
UDF; "We have Thiruvanchoor"
BJP-"We have Rajagopal"
LDF-"We have EP Jayarajan"
T K Abdul Razack
What our minister EP Jayarajan said about Muhammed Ali is nothing to be ridiculed. I respect the spirit of his words. At the same time his Private Secretary must have properly communicated to him in time on Ali.
Allen Raj Matt
Finally a competitor for Thiruvanchoor..All Hail EP Jayarajan..Go to Hell
Vipin Nambiar
Post elections, Kerala Troll Festival Starts again... Thanks to‪#‎EPJayarajan‬. Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan must be thanking all Gods..
Harish Vasantha Babu
It is the first time ever that I laughed at listening to the condolence message dedicated to a dead person.
Nand Kumar
Mohammed Ali had brought many gold medals to Kerala - said by EP Jayarajan, sports minister. Should we cry or laugh??
Watch the viral video here:
Check memes and troll messages here:
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