Overview
- Suryaa Raja Baalu, son of Industries Minister T. R.B. Raja, declined to have K. Annamalai place a medal around his neck and accepted it in his hand.
- The moment occurred at the 51st State Shooting Games in Pudukkottai, organized by the Tamil Nadu Shooting Association and the Royal Pudukkottai Sports Club, with Annamalai attending as chief guest.
- A short clip of the exchange circulated widely on social media, drawing attention beyond the sporting event.
- Despite the awkward interaction, the medalist later posed for a group photograph with Annamalai and other winners, and no formal fallout has been reported.
- Coverage linked the gesture to a recent university ceremony where Jean Joseph bypassed Governor R. N. Ravi, a move Annamalai had previously condemned.