The government girls’ school in Ashok Nagar, Chennai, has become the center of controversy following its Teacher’s Day celebration on 5 September 2024. During the event, a spiritual speaker was invited as the chief guest and delivered a talk on rebirth, karma, and philosophy. The speaker’s remarks reportedly offended Dravidianists and Periyarists, leading to widespread outrage and criticism directed at Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh.
In response to the incident, DMK School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh visited the school to investigate the matter. After reviewing the situation, he addressed the press and issued a warning, announcing that severe action would be taken against the speaker involved. Speaking to the press, the DMK minister stated that an investigation into the matter is underway. He emphasized that within two to three days, appropriate action will be taken. Currently, the inquiry is focused on determining whether the fault lies with the school headmistress or the departmental officials.
When reporters asked how the minister planned to address the motivational speaker Mahavishnu’s claim that no laws prohibit him from delivering spiritual talks in schools, the minister did not respond directly. Instead, he shifted the focus and began praising the teacher who had halted the speaker’s discourse during Teacher’s Day. The minister stated that, regardless of whether the teacher files a complaint or not, action will be taken based on the video of the confrontation between the speaker and the schoolteacher.
Anbil Mahesh took the issue personally and remarked, “You came to my area, spoke, and left, you have insulted my teachers. So, I’m stressing at this point that I will not let you off lightly.”
"உன்ன நான் சும்மா விட மாட்டேன்"
சென்னை அசோக் நகர் அரசு மகளிர் மேல்நிலைப் பள்ளியில் சர்ச்சைக்குரிய வகையில் பிற்போக்குத்தனமான சொற்பொழிவு – தட்டிக்கேட்ட ஆசிரியரை மிரட்டும் வகையில் பேசிய சொற்பொழிவாளர் மீது நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்படும் என அமைச்சர் உறுதி#SpiritualSpeech | #Chennai |… pic.twitter.com/EsVmRrZf8K
— PuthiyathalaimuraiTV (@PTTVOnlineNews) September 6, 2024
The incident occurred at government schools in both the Ashok Nagar and Saidapet areas, where Mahavishnu, a motivational speaker from the Paramporul Foundation, was invited to give a talk. 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 how a child will live a proper life without knowledge about past life karma. A video of the incident, which was later uploaded to Mahavishnu’s YouTube channel, went viral, triggering widespread criticism among Dravidianists.
At a Govt School in Chennai … pic.twitter.com/LqAXqdmDH4
— KS / Karthigaichelvan S (@karthickselvaa) September 5, 2024
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 are meant to inspire students, they should adhere to promoting 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.
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