A government school in Chennai is facing severe criticism after a spiritual speaker, invited to deliver a motivational talk on Teacher’s Day, instead focused on themes such as rebirth, karma, and sin. The speaker, Mahavishnu from the Paramporul Foundation, sparked outrage when he attributed children’s life struggles to their actions in previous births, deviating from the intended motivational theme.
During his speech at the school in Mylapore, Mahavishnu claimed that ancient knowledge, such as mantras that could cause “fire rain” or heal the body, was lost due to British rule. His remarks on karma and rebirth led to a heated argument with a staff member, who objected to the content. A video of the incident, including the argument, was uploaded to Mahavishnu’s YouTube channel and quickly went viral, drawing widespread backlash.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, without directly referencing the video, emphasized the importance of scientific thinking in education. In response to the controversy, he announced the formulation of new guidelines to ensure that school programs promote progressive and scientific ideas. “Science is the way to progress,” Stalin stated, highlighting the government’s commitment to fostering a scientific temper among students.
The incident has led to calls for accountability from school authorities and the Tamil Nadu School Education Department, with public figures urging action against those responsible for inviting the speaker.
