Chennai, September 10: The Tamil Nadu police on Saturday, September 7, arrested motivational speaker Mahavishnu after he arrived at the Chennai airport. Soon after he landed at the airport from Australia via Singapore, the self-styled "motivational" speaker was arrested and taken into custody. A day after his arrest, a member of the differently abled persons association lodged a complaint against Mahavishnu.

Acting on the complaint, the police began an investigation against the motivational speaker. It must be noted that Mahavishnu landed in controversy for his speeches at Saidapet and Ashok Nagar government schools. The incident came to light after several video clips of Mahavishnu allegedly arguing with a differently abled teacher went viral on social media. What Is the Hijab Challenge? All You Need To Know As Tamil Nadu YouTuber B Anas Ahamed Arrested for Making ‘Hijab Challenge’ Video.

Following the incident, Tamilarasi, the headmistress of Ashok Nagar school, and K Shanmugasundaram, the headmaster of Saidapet Govt Model Higher Secondary School, were both transferred to different schools following Mahavishnu's speeches at the two schools. After his arrest, Mahavishnu was produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.

What Is the Controversy That Mahavishnu Is Involved In?

According to several news reports, Mahavishnu allegedly made derogatory remarks about differently-abled people. In a particular segment of his speech, the motivational speaker claimed that disabilities were a result of sins committed in previous lives. His speech was intended to boost students' self-confidence at a government school; however, it took an unexpected turn when Mahavishnu deviated from the topic and discussed spiritual ideas.

While addressing the students, Mahavishnu also claimed that "Gurukulams were systematically destroyed by the British." He went on to suggest that ancient practices like reciting mantras could cause "fire rain," heal the body, and even enable a person to fly while blaming colonial rule for losing such "secrets" that were once preserved on palm leaves. An argument occurred when a school teacher interrupted Mahavishnu's speech and reminded him of being invited to deliver a motivational speech. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin Explores Investment Opportunities in AI with BNY Mellon.

Who Is Mahavishnu?

"What you did in your last birth, you were given this birth," the motivational speaker said. Many allegedly found this statement offensive and discriminatory. A video going viral on social media also shows Mahavishnu arguing with the teacher and accusing him of having an "ego." A self-styled motivational speaker, Mahavishnu has over four lakh subscribers on YouTube, where he regularly shares videos related to spirituality, yoga, and meditation.

According to his bio on the YouTube channel "Paramporul Foundation," Mahavishnu is a writer, film director, motivational speaker, Reiki dealer, and standup comic, among other things.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 10, 2024 10:45 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).