DMK Minister Raaja's Son Snubs Annamalai On Stage, Refuses To Accept Medal

A small gesture at a state-level shooting competition in Pudukottai stirred political chatter on Monday, after Suryaa Rajaa Baalu, son of DMK minister T R B Raaja, chose not to accept a medal around his neck from former BJP state president K Annamalai.

The incident took place at the 51st State-Level Shooting Championship in Avarangudipatti, jointly organised by the Tamil Nadu Shooting Association and the Royal Pudukkottai Sports Club.

A video from the ceremony shows Annamalai attempting to place the medal on Suryaa Rajaa, who instead received it directly with his hands. Despite the awkward moment, the minister's son later posed for photographs alongside the other winners and Annamalai, who even joined the participants later for shooting practice.

Speaking to reporters in Madurai that evening, Annamalai downplayed the episode, saying, "It was the minister's son's wish. It doesn't really matter to me."

It may be recalled that two weeks ago a similar incident occurred in Tirunelveli. At the 32nd convocation of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University doctoral graduate Jean Joseph refused to receive her degree from Governor RN Ravi, instead taking it from the Vice Chancellor.

Joseph, who is the wife of DMK's Nagercoil Deputy Secretary M Rajan, explained that her act was a protest against what she termed the Governor's "anti-Tamil and anti-Tamil Nadu" views.

At the time, Annamalai had sharply criticised the protest, calling it a "deplorable drama staged by DMK members to gain fame" and warning against dragging "low-grade politics" into academic institutions.

The shooting competition, which began on August 22, will run until August 28.