SPIRITUAL TALK AT SCHOOLS SPARKS OUTRAGE

A ‘spiritual speaker' invited to make motivational speech at government schools triggered a controversy by his remarks on karma and rebirth, and blaming children for their struggles in life, prompting the state government to take action.

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A day after the video of the controversial speech went viral, headmistress of Ashok Nagar Government Girls' Higher Secondary School and headmaster of Saidapet Government Model School were transferred on Friday. School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said the department would initiate police action against the speaker, Mahavishnu, founder of Paramporul Foundation, for insulting a teacher with visual impairment. A committee headed by the School Education Director would inquire into the matter, the minister said.

In his speech, Mahavishnu blamed the British for systematically destroying Gurukulams and claimed that by mere chanting of certain mantras one could cause a rain of fire, cure ailments and even fly.