Controversy Erupts Over Motivational speaker Maha Vishnu: Tamil Nadu Government Takes Action

Motivational speaker Maha Vishnu has stirred controversy with his remarks on “rebirth and karma” during a Teachers’ Day event at two government schools in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Vishnu allegedly suggested that students are responsible for their own difficulties, a statement that has attracted considerable backlash and prompted a swift response from the state government. The incident has ignited a broader debate about the suitability of integrating spiritual and philosophical ideas into the educational environment.

Controversy Erupts Over Motivational speaker Maha Vishnu

The controversy intensified when Maha Vishnu made controversial religious comments during his speeches and clashed with a differently-abled teacher who challenged his views. This led to protests by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), who criticized the School Education Department for allowing spiritual classes in state-run schools at Saidapet and Ashok Nagar. The protesters have also called for accountability for Maha Vishnu and the Paramporul Foundation, the NGO responsible for organizing these sessions.

Controversial Claims and Confrontations

During his talk, Vishnu blamed the British for dismantling Gurukulams and claimed that chanting certain mantras could produce miraculous effects such as creating fire, curing diseases, and enabling flight. He argued, “These teachings were preserved by our ancestors, but the British erased them.” Vishnu further questioned divine justice, stating, “If God were truly benevolent, everyone would be born equal. Instead, individuals are born into wealth or poverty, as criminals or heroes, based on their past actions.” When a teacher objected, reminding him that the event was meant to be motivational rather than spiritual, Vishnu engaged in a heated argument, accusing the teacher of having “ego issues.”

Government Response and New Guidelines

In light of the controversy, State School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has pledged to address the issue and take action against Maha Vishnu. The two schools that hosted the speaker are facing criticism for allowing what was intended to be a motivational session to devolve into a critique of students and a confrontation with a teacher. The situation has raised concerns about the appropriateness of such talks in educational institutions.

மாணவச் செல்வங்கள் அறிந்துகொள்ளத் தேவையான சிறந்த அறிவியல் சிந்தனைகள் தரம் மிகுந்த நமது பாடநூல்களில் இடம் பெற்றுள்ளன.

எதிர்காலச் சவால்களை, தன்னம்பிக்கையோடு எதிர்கொள்ளவும், அறிவாற்றலைக் கூர்மைப்படுத்திக் கொள்ளவும் தேவையான சிறப்பான கருத்துகளை ஆசிரியர்களே எடுத்துக்கூற முடியும்.…

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) September 6, 2024

Amidst the fallout, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin reaffirmed his commitment to promoting education and scientific thinking, emphasizing in a post on X, “Science is the way to progress.” To address the issue, Stalin has announced new guidelines to regulate school programs across Tamil Nadu, ensuring that students are exposed to progressive and scientific concepts.

Criticism and Inquiry

Congress MP from Karur, Jothimani, also condemned the incident, asserting that it undermines the government’s efforts to instill a scientific approach in education. “The government must hold accountable those who invited and permitted him to undermine the scientific temper—the cornerstone of our education system—and embarrass the teacher who questioned him,” she stated in her post on X.

#WATCH | “தன்னம்பிக்கை பேச்சு என்ற பெயரில் மூடநம்பிக்கையான, விஷமத்தனமான பேச்சுகளை அரசுப் பள்ளியில் பேசுவதை வன்மையாகக் கண்டிக்கிறேன். அமைச்சர் உரிய நடவடிக்கை எடுப்பார் என நம்புகிறேன்” -கார்த்தி சிதம்பரம், காங்கிரஸ் எம்.பி#SunNews | #KartiChidambaram pic.twitter.com/NPYXRJ8U6P

— Sun News (@sunnewstamil) September 6, 2024

Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram also voiced his disapproval on X, describing it as “distressing to see a charlatan spreading nonsense in a government school in Tamil Nadu.”

In response to the controversy, a source from the School Education Department, as reported by PTI, confirmed that the principals of the two schools involved have been transferred and a departmental inquiry is underway.