News Tamil Nadu

Dravidian Stocks & Congress Break Bangles Over Comedian-Turned-Motivational Speaker’s Speech On Karma & Rebirth At Govt School, D Stocks Demand #Resign_AnbilMahesh

September 6, 2024
The Commune

A government school in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, became the centre of attention after a Teacher’s Day event where a spiritual speaker delivered a speech on rebirth and karma, sparked outrage and political backlash from Dravidianists and members of the I.N.D.I.Alliance in Tamil Nadu. The incident occurred at a government girl’s school in the Ashok Nagar area and in a government school in Saidapet, where Mahavishnu, a motivational speaker from the Paramporul Foundation, was invited for a talk.

Who Is ‘Mahavishnu’?

Mahavishnu of Paramporul Foundation is said to have ‘received Deeksha’ from his Guru Tat Sat Bramma Gnani Sri Sri Sri Kanchi Viswanatha Swamigal. Mahavishnu was earlier a standup comic who even won the title “Asathal Mannan” in Sun TV in 2010 as per his LinkedIn profile.

He allegedly ‘transitioned’ into becoming a motivational speaker, a Reiki healer and a mental care counsellor following the ‘Deeksha’. According to the website, he has given several talks and conducted several spiritual programmes in India and abroad.

The speaker spoke about topics such as past-life sins, karma, and rebirth and educated the children about how one’s current life struggles had a link to one’s actions in previous lives.

What’s The Controversy?

During his speech, Mahavishnu stated that ancient Indian education systems, like Gurukulams, were destroyed by British rule, leading to the loss of powerful knowledge once written on palm leaves (olaichuvadu). He asserted that reciting certain mantras could heal bodies, cause “rain of fire,” or enable one to fly, alluding to mystical powers lost over time. He then stated that social inequalities and people’s circumstances—whether rich, poor, criminal, or heroic—were the result of actions in their previous lives.

A school staff member objected to the content of Mahavishnu’s speech, pointing out that the speaker was invited for a motivational talk, not a spiritual discourse. This led to a heated argument, with Mahavishnu questioning the teacher about how a child will live a proper life without knowledge about past life karma. A video of the incident, later uploaded to Mahavishnu’s YouTube channel, went viral, triggering widespread criticism among Dravidianists.

Students’ reactions to the speech also raised alarms. Some reportedly broke down in tears, with one student stating, “We were thinking that there is someone above us. But now I understand that God is within us.” Another student commented, “I realized that beyond basic education, there is something beyond the reach of knowledge.” These statements have heightened concerns over the speaker’s influence on impressionable young minds.

Critics argue that while motivational speeches in schools inspire students, they should promote a scientific outlook and not delve into religious or spiritual doctrines. Social activists and education advocates have called for stricter oversight in government schools to ensure such events do not compromise the core values of the educational system.

Politicians and Dravidianists condemned the school administration for allowing such sensitive topics to be addressed before children.

Congress & Dravidian Stocks Meltdown

Congress MP Jothimani expressed dismay on social media, tagging Tamil Nadu’s School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh. She criticized the event for undermining the government’s efforts to promote scientific temper in schools and called for accountability.

“Shocked to know that this has happened in a Government school. This will undermine all the efforts of the Government’s very ideological battle. The government must act against whoever has invited and allowed him to speak against the scientific temper the very basic  foundation of our education system and humiliate the teacher who has asked the right question @Anbil_Mahesh”

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram also questioned the event and wrote on his X handle, “Distressing to see a charlatan peddle gobbledygook in a government school in Tamil Nadu @Anbil_Mahesh“

#Resign_AnbilMahesh Trends On X

Dravidianists also asked for the resignation of education minister Anbil Mahesh. LTTE supporter and Dravidianist separatist Thirumurugan Gandhi, who is known for his anti-India and anti-Hindu stance, derided the speaker and wrote on his X handle.

“When asked a counter question, he shows arrogance without the ability to answer. If they come to talk, they will only ask questions. If you make stupid comments, you will get counter-questions. Class for the chubby stupid cows who have no reason to explain. Education Minister, resign if you cannot take action against the officials and teachers who brought this despicable person and made him speak in Chennai’s best government school. We are witnessing the consequences of 3 years of failure to prevent sectarian political imposition in the education sector.”

Other Dravidianists also called for the resignation of Anbil Mahesh.

Another netizen questioned why no IAS or IPS achievers were invited to the government school to motivate the students.

Some even unfollowed the minister’s X handle!

It is noteworthy that Mahavishnu/Paramporul Foundation had met with the education minister and submitted a petition on behalf of the Paramporul Foundation requesting to incorporate Vallalar’s Thiruchitrambala Kalvi Thiruvarutpa in school textbooks.

 

Dravidianists Break Bangles

Dravidoids went bonkers after the video of the session went viral. Here are some reactions.

 

One wrote, “Who is he to carry lessons about sin and righteousness in government schools? What is the school education department doing? In the name of teaching self-defence in many schools, branch organizations like RSS are misleading the children of Hindutvaists.”

Another Dravidoid wrote, “I don’t know where all this will end. The school education department should prevent such incidents.. The offending school administrators should be dismissed and punished severely.”

Another wrote, “It is not good for the Dravidian model of governance that the Sanghi Minister continues to support the RSS Sanatanists who have nothing to gain every time there is strong opposition among the siblings.”

Some went overboard and pulled out images of Anbil Mahesh at temples and questioned the Dravidian government over conducting the Murugan conference and permitting speakers like Mahavishnu to spread the word about Hindu philosophy.

He wrote, “Ministers who pulled the toad and left it on the street! @Anbil_Mahesh @PKSekarbabu 2026 will not be chosen if these two people are stuck! A man introduced epic in education? First, let’s go! #Resign_AnbilMahesh Another Murugan Conference! Amman Conference, Baba Conference! Where can you go?”

Another handle Schumy Vanna Kaviyangal known for spewing hate against Hindus and Brahmins specifically wrote, “Except for the teachers in the government school hall, all the dogs take lessons from the students… Who is calling him? Why is he allowed?”

Saidapet High School Headmaster Shanmugasundaram and Ashok Nagar Girls High School Headmistress Tamilarasi have been summoned by the Chennai District Principal Education Officer to explain who had permitted to conduct such a session and what happened. Based on their explanation, required action will be taken on the school headmasters.

TN CM Stalin Weighs In

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who is currently touring the US, made a post on his X handle. He wrote, “Our high-quality textbooks contain the best scientific ideas students need to know. The teachers themselves can bring out the best ideas needed to face future challenges with confidence and sharpen their knowledge. The School Education Department will take actions to provide the necessary innovative training and social education – with appropriate departmental experts and scholars. I have decided to formulate and issue new guidelines for regulating various programs in schools in the state so that all our schoolchildren, who are the future generation of Tamilnadu, get progressive-scientific ideas and lifestyles. Individual progress, ethical living, and sound ideas for social development should be inculcated in the students’ hearts. Over the past three years, I have consistently emphasized the importance of education and the need to develop scientific thinking at numerous events. Science is the way to progress!”

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