“Spiritual” speech in state school sparks outrage; DMK government under fire

In his controversial speech, Vishnu tried to instill regressive ideas in the minds of the young students by talking about their past and future lives. Video clips from the event even show tears rolling down the students' cheeks.

“Don't believe that you can live as you want and die. Your next birth will be cruel. How can I believe in the next birth? Many people are born without hands, legs and eyes. Many are born without a home and with many diseases. If God is merciful, he should have created everyone equal. Why didn't he do that?” asked the speaker.

“One is a crorepati, another is poor. One is a criminal while another is a noble person. One is a hero, one is like a hero. Why such changes? This life has been assigned to you based on your deeds in your previous life,” said Vishnu, evoking a strong reaction from Shankar, the physically challenged teacher of the school.

Shankar kept asking questions to the speaker, who remained disturbed and continued to spread “superstitious” views among the students while asking the teacher how he was entitled to point fingers at him. His colleagues' lack of support for Shankar and their apparent support for the speaker also enraged netizens, who demanded that the government ensure that such events are not organised without permission.

Even though Mahesh got emotional and promised action against the speaker, there was massive outrage against him on social media. The hashtag #Resign_AnbilMahesh was trending on X. Netizens questioned Mahesh on whether schools were being used as platforms for religious and spiritual propaganda.

“I will not give up on this easily. He (Vishnu) has come to my territory (school) and insulted my teacher. We will take strict action against him,” Mahesh said, clarifying that his department will issue a set of guidelines on the nature of events to be held in government schools.

The minister also said he could not be expected to check the past of the people he encounters on a daily basis as reporters had pointed out that Vishnu had met him two years ago and taken a photograph with him.

The DMK government has been under fire from its allies and education experts for the past month over a number of issues. The party went on the defensive to quash rumours of a possible tie-up with the BJP after leaders of the two parties appeared together on the dais to release a commemorative coin for the late Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

The resolutions passed at the Lord Murugan Conference on August 24 and 25 drew criticism from ally VCK, whose MP said the proposals were nothing more than an attempt to implement the BJP's plan to “communalise education”.