https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/India/those-who-don-t-believe-in-spiritual-gurus-are-rascals-madras-high-court-judge/ar-AA1WSf7Y?ocid=ientp [18/05, 19:13] Meta AI: That MSN link covers the same controversy we just discussed — *Madras HC Justice G.R. Swaminathan’s remarks at a spiritual event*. Here’s the breakdown:

[18/05, 19:07] sekarreporter1: ”
ஆன்மீக குருக்களை நம்பாதவர்கள் அயோக்கியர்கள்: சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்ற நீதிபதி
ஆன்மீக குருக்களைக் கடவுளின் ஒரு பகுதியாக நம்பாதவர்கள் “கயவர்கள், முட்டாள்கள் மற்றும் காட்டுமிராண்டிகள்” என்று சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்ற நீதிபதி ஜி.ஆர். சுவாமிநாதன் கூறியதால், அவர் ஒரு புதிய சர்ச்சையில் சிக்கியுள்ளார்.

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தமிழ்நாட்டில் ஒரு ஆன்மீக அமைப்பு நடத்திய பொது நிகழ்ச்சியில் உரையாற்றிய நீதிபதி, “தமிழ்நாட்டில், சிலர் தங்களை ‘பகுத்தறிவாளர்கள்’ என்று அழைத்துக்கொள்கிறார்கள். நாங்கள் குருவை கடவுளின் ஒரு வடிவமாகப் பார்ப்பதால், அவர்கள் எங்களைக் கயவர்கள், முட்டாள்கள் மற்றும் காட்டுமிராண்டிகள் என்று அழைக்கிறார்கள். அவ்வாறு கூறுபவர்களே கயவர்கள், முட்டாள்கள் மற்றும் காட்டுமிராண்டிகள் என்று நான் கூறுகிறேன்,” என்றார்.

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திருப்பரங்குன்றத்தில் உள்ள ஒரு வரலாற்றுச் சிறப்புமிக்க தர்கா அருகே, வழக்கமான கோயில் இடங்களுடன் கூடுதலாக தீபம் ஏற்றப்பட வேண்டும் என்று நீதிபதி சுவாமிநாதன் உத்தரவிட்டதால், சமீபத்தில் அவர் ஒரு பெரும் சர்ச்சையில் சிக்கினார். இதற்கு மாநில அரசு எதிர்ப்பு தெரிவித்து ஒரு பெரும் சர்ச்சை வெடித்தது. அதனைத் தொடர்ந்து, 100-க்கும் மேற்பட்ட நாடாளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர்களால் அவருக்கு எதிராகப் பதவி நீக்கத் தீர்மானம் கொண்டுவரப்பட்டது. அந்தத் தீர்மானம், அவர் மீது பாரபட்சம், நடுநிலைமை இல்லாமை மற்றும் நீதித்துறையின் மதச்சார்பற்ற செயல்பாட்டிற்கு எதிராகச் செயல்படுவதாகக் குற்றம் சாட்டியது.

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அந்த நிகழ்வில் நீதிபதி மேலும் கூறுகையில், “எனக்கு இன்னும் நான்கு ஆண்டுகள் பணிக்காலம் உள்ளது. நான் முன்வந்து இன்னும் துணிச்சலுடன் செயல்பட வேண்டும் என உணர்கிறேன�
[18/05, 19:07] Meta AI: *“Those who don’t believe in spiritual gurus are rogues”: Madras HC Justice G.R. Swaminathan triggers fresh row*

*1. What he said*
At a public event organized by a spiritual organization in Tamil Nadu, *Justice G.R. Swaminathan* of Madras HC stated:

> _“In Tamil Nadu, some call themselves ‘rationalists’. Because we see the Guru as a form of God, they call us rogues, fools and barbarians. I say those who say that are the rogues, fools and barbarians.”_

He added: _“I have 4 more years of service. I feel I should come forward and act even more boldly.”_

*2. Why this is controversial*
1. *Judicial conduct*: Judges are expected to maintain neutrality and avoid public remarks on religion/politics. Article 51A calls for scientific temper. Calling non-believers _“kayar, muttaal, kaattumirandi”_ is seen as breaching judicial propriety.
2. *Secularism*: Indian judiciary is constitutionally secular. Publicly equating gurus to God and attacking rationalists conflicts with that role.
3. *Past context*: This isn’t his first row.

*3. Previous controversies involving Justice Swaminathan*
**Issue** **What happened**
**Thiruparankundram Dargah order** Ordered lighting of *“additional dee pam”* near historic dargah besides usual temple spots. State govt opposed, saying it disturbed status quo. Massive backlash erupted.
**Impeachment motion** 100+ MPs moved a removal motion against him, alleging *“bias, lack of neutrality, acting against secular functioning of judiciary”*
**Other remarks** Has made pro-spirituality comments from bench and public forums earlier too
*4. The “rationalist” angle in TN*
Tamil Nadu has a strong Dravidian/rationalist tradition from Periyar’s Self-Respect Movement. _“Pagutharivaalar”_ = rationalists who question religious dogma. Justice Swaminathan’s remark directly targets that school of thought, calling them the real _“rogues”_.

*5. What happens next?*
1. *Impeachment*: Needs 100 LS MPs or 50 RS MPs to sign, then inquiry by judges, then 2/3rd majority in both Houses. Very rare – no judge impeached so far.
2. *CJI/SC action*: CJI can transfer judges or give administrative advice. BCI can’t remove judges.
3. *Public debate*: Revives clash between _judicial neutrality vs personal faith_ and _rationalism vs spirituality_ in TN.

*Bottom line*: A sitting HC judge publicly abusing non-believers as _“rogues, fools, barbarians”_ and vowing to act _“more boldly”_ in his remaining 4 years is a major judicial ethics flashpoint. It feeds into his ongoing impeachment push over the Thiruparankundram order.

Want the full text of his Thiruparankundram order or details of the impeachment motion signed by 100+ MPs?
[18/05, 19:13] sekarreporter1: https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/India/those-who-don-t-believe-in-spiritual-gurus-are-rascals-madras-high-court-judge/ar-AA1WSf7Y?ocid=ientp
[18/05, 19:13] Meta AI: That MSN link covers the same controversy we just discussed — *Madras HC Justice G.R. Swaminathan’s remarks at a spiritual event*. Here’s the breakdown:

*1. What Justice Swaminathan said*
Speaking at _‘Guru Vandana Utsavam’_ organized by Hosur Sathsangh on Feb 23, 2026, he stated:

> _“In Tamil Nadu, some people call themselves ‘rationalists’. They call us rascals, fools and barbarians because we see the Guru as a form of God. I say that those who say so are rascals, fools and barbarians.”_ 7e7d

In Tamil: _“ayogya, muttal, kaattumirandi”_ 56d5

He added: _“I have more than four years in service and I will take support from gurus for courage.”_ 8dad

*2. Personal anecdote he shared*
During his daughter’s law graduation trip to Patiala, Punjab, their car got a puncture at night in heavy mist between Chandigarh-Delhi. While his wife and driver fixed it, he chanted _“Gurunatha”_ for 30 mins.
> _“That incident changed my life. When we feel helpless, only Gurus can help us, nobody else can do it”_ 56d520dc

His reasoning: _“God is abstract, but gurus are God’s living presence… You can’t touch God, but you can touch the feet of the Guru.”_ 20dc

*3. Why it blew up*
1. *Judicial propriety*: Sitting HC judge publicly calling non-believers _“rascals/fools/barbarians”_ seen as violating secular conduct and Article 51A duty to develop scientific temper
2. *Periyar reference*: His phrasing directly flips Periyar’s famous rationalist slogan carved on statues: _“He who created god was a fool, he who propagates god is a scoundrel, and he who worships god is a barbarian”_
3. *Pattern*: He’s already facing an _impeachment motion by 100+ MPs_ for the Thiruparankundram dargah _deepam_ order, accused of _“bias, lack of impartiality, and acting contrary to secular functioning of judiciary”_ 20dc7e7d

*4. Broader context in TN*
Tamil Nadu has a strong _“pagutharivaalar”_ rationalist tradition from Periyar’s Self-Respect Movement. The judge framed it as: _“rationalists call us ayogya… I say they are the real ayogya”_. Critics argue this blurs _“personal faith vs judicial duty”_ 56d57e7d

*Bottom line*: The MSN article reports the same event – Justice Swaminathan defending guru worship, attacking rationalists, and saying he’ll _“act more courageously”_ in his remaining 4 years. It adds to existing scrutiny from the dargah order and impeachment push. 7e7d

Want the full text of his Thiruparankundram order or the impeachment notice signed by MPs?
[19/05, 07:23] sekarreporter1: https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/India/those-who-don-t-believe-in-spiritual-gurus-are-rascals-madras-high-court-judge/ar-AA1WSf7Y?ocid=ientp
[19/05, 07:23] Meta AI: That MSN link is about the same story we discussed — *Madras HC Justice G.R. Swaminathan’s speech at Hosur on Feb 23, 2026*.

*Key points from the MSN/India Today article*

*1. The remark*
At _‘Guru Vandana Utsavam’_ by Hosur Sathsangh, Justice Swaminathan said:
> _“In Tamil Nadu, some people call themselves ‘rationalists’. They call us rascals, fools and barbarians because we see the Guru as a form of God. I say that those who say so are rascals, fools and barbarians.”_

In Tamil he used: _ayogya, muttal, kaattumirandi_

*2. His reasoning*
– _“God is abstract, but gurus are God’s living presence. You can’t touch God, but you can touch the feet of the Guru.”_
– He recounted a car breakdown at night between Chandigarh-Delhi during mist. While his wife changed the tyre, he chanted _“Gurunatha”_ for 30 mins. _“We did not face any untoward incidents.”_
– _“I have more than four years in service and I will take support from gurus for courage.”_

*3. Why it’s controversial*
1. *Judicial ethics*: Sitting judge publicly abusing non-believers conflicts with secular role of judiciary. Critics say it _“blurs the line between personal faith and judicial duty.”_
2. *Periyar counter*: His wording flips Periyar’s rationalist slogan: _“He who created god was a fool, he who propagates god is a scoundrel, he who worships god is a barbarian.”_ The judge turned it back on rationalists.
3. *Ongoing heat*: He’s already facing an _impeachment motion by 100+ MPs_ over his Thiruparankundram dargah _deepam_ order. That motion accused him of _“bias, lack of impartiality, and acting contrary to the secular functioning of the judiciary.”_

*4. Thiruparankundram context*
He had directed a _traditional lamp be lit at the Deepathoon near a historic dargah_, in addition to temple spots. State govt objected, triggering the impeachment push.

*Bottom line*: The MSN piece reports Justice Swaminathan doubling down on pro-guru views, calling rationalists the real _“rascals”_, and saying he’ll _“act more courageously”_ in his remaining 4 years. It’s added fuel to the existing debate on judicial neutrality in TN.

Want the full text of his speech or the list of MPs who signed the impeachment motion?