As the sports world was in mourning over the death of Muhammad Ali, the social media users were having a field day over a tribute paid by Kerala Sports Minister E. P. Jayarajan to the boxing legend.
During a phone-in with Manorama News news channel, Jayarajan termed the American boxer as the “pride of Kerala”, setting off a social media frenzy.
The sports minster of the newly elected LDF government was asked to share his thoughts on the passing of Ali.
"I just came to know that Muhammad Ali died in the US. He was an eminent sports person of Kerala. He has won gold medal and propelled Kerala's status in the world of sports," Jayarajan said. However, the anchor intervened in time and cut the audio saving the minister from further embarrassment.
But, the damage was already done. The video of his interview was shared on social media, which made him a treading topic. Trolls and memes have been pouring in against the minister, who is now being described as LDF's answer to UDF's Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.
Thiruvanchoor has a history of mispronouncing names of celebrities.
Here are some of the social media reactions to Jayarajan's faux pas.
