A government school in Tamil Nadu’s capital Chennai faced intense criticism on social media after inviting a spiritual speaker who discussed rebirth and blamed children for their life struggles on Teacher's Day.
Mahavishnu from the Paramporul Foundation was invited to deliver a motivational talk at a government school in the Mylapore area, but instead delved into topics of past-life sins and karma, sparking outrage among the public and politicians alike.
Commenting on the row, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin emphasised 'scientific thinking', adding that he has ordered the formulation of guidelines in various programs conducted in schools to ensure that the studies receive progressive ideas. "Science is the way to progress," he stressed.
Mahavishnu, during his speech, said, "Gurukulams were systematically destroyed by the British. Just reading a mantra can cause fire rain, heal one's body, can make you fly, but all these secrets which were written on palm leaves were lost due to British rule"
He further said, "If God was kind, everyone should be born equal. One is born rich while the other is born poor. One is born a criminal while the other is born a hero. Why such differences? What you did in your last birth, you were given this birth."
A school staff member objected to the speaker's comments, stating that he was invited for a motivational talk, not a spiritual discourse. This led to a heated argument, with Mahavishnu accusing the staff member of having "ego issues".
A video of the speech, including the argument, was later uploaded to Mahavishnu’s YouTube channel. The footage went viral on Teacher’s Day, triggering widespread backlash against the school administration.
Many criticised the school for allowing the speaker to address children on such sensitive topics, demanding accountability from the school authorities and Tamil Nadu’s School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh.
Congress's Karur MP Jothimani condemned the incident on X, tagging Minister Anbil Mahesh and calling for action.
"Shocked to know that this has happened in a government school," she tweeted. "This will undermine all the efforts of the government’s ideological battle. The government must act against whoever invited and allowed him to speak against the scientific temper, the very basic foundation of our education system, and humiliate the teacher who asked the right question."
The school administration has yet to respond to the public outrage or clarify their stance on the incident.
SCIENCE IS THE WAY TO PROGRESS: STALIN
Chief Minister MK Stalin has, responding to the controversy, said that he has directed the formulation of guidelines for regulating various programs in schools, emphasising the importance of scientific education.
He stated, "I have ordered the formulation and issuance of new guidelines to regulate various programs in schools across the state, ensuring that all our schoolchildren, who are the future generation of Tamil Nadu, receive progressive scientific ideas and lifestyles."
In a post on X, the Chief Minister mentioned, "Our high-quality textbooks contain the best scientific ideas that students need to know. Teachers can bring out the best ideas needed to face future challenges with confidence and enhance knowledge. The School Education Department will take action to provide innovative training and social education with the help of appropriate departmental experts and scholars."
He further noted that individual progress, ethical living, and sound ideas for social development should be instilled in students, asserting, "Science is the way to progress".
