'Spiritual' speech row: Committee to determine school programs to be formed, says Tamil Nadu minister

THANJAVUR: School education minister

Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi

has said a committee will be constituted to determine the conduct of programmes in schools in Tamil Nadu.
"Henceforth, when events are organised in schools, a committee will be established to decide upon the speakers and the nature of the programmes to be held. Guidelines will be formulated for this purpose, and a committee will be formed expeditiously," minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi told the reporters in Thanjavur on Saturday.
The minister stated that Tamil Nadu is a state that does not look at caste and religion, maintaining harmony.

"Such superstitions that provoke disturbance are unacceptable under any circumstances," the minister said.
The minister's announcement to establish the committee comes in the wake of a controversy sparked by spiritual speaker

Mahavishnu

from Paramporul Foundation, who delivered a speech on rebirth and karma to students at the Ashok Nagar Girls Higher Secondary School and Saidapet Model Higher Secondary School in Chennai on August 28.

On Saturday evening, the Chennai police detained Mahavishnu upon his arrival at Chennai International Airport from Australia.
"When a problem emerges, it must be addressed promptly. If a judicious decision is made regarding the resolution of the issue and the necessary measures to be taken, I will proceed to the subsequent task. The matter has now been referred to the police, and they will take the requisite actions," the minister said.
Mentioning that a complaint has been lodged alleging the insult of members of the differently-abled association, the minister said, "Whether Mahavishnu's actions were erroneous or not will be ascertained by the law as it carries out its responsibility," the minister said.