Amaruvi Devanathan’s Book Review: “A Tale of Two Cities: the decline and fall of the ‘Ubaya-vedantins” – The History of the Sri Vaishnavas of Tamil Nadu that was never told”

Amaruvi Devanathan is an Indian author, public speaker, and professional banking technologist. He frequently describes himself with the catchphrase “a banker by day and blogger by night,” balancing a corporate career in data architecture with a prominent role in the Tamil and English literary circuits.  Professional Background Literary & Public Work Published Books He has written several notable worksContinue reading “Amaruvi Devanathan’s Book Review: “A Tale of Two Cities: the decline and fall of the ‘Ubaya-vedantins” – The History of the Sri Vaishnavas of Tamil Nadu that was never told””

There can’t be a disenfranchised population of 66 million in the world’s largest democracy: What the Supreme Court can do about it.

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls under the Election Commission of India has led to the removal of roughly 6.56 crore names from the draft electoral rolls across 12 states and Union Territories. While the Commission frames this as a technical cleanup—striking off duplicate entries, non‑citizens, and those restored as deceased—the human realityContinue reading “There can’t be a disenfranchised population of 66 million in the world’s largest democracy: What the Supreme Court can do about it.”

Tenkalai and Vadakalai Sri Vaishnavas’ endless legal battle: Can a Phyrric victory for either side erase the “writing on the wall” for both?

Pyrrhic means a victory won at such a devastating cost that it’s almost a defeat. King Pyrrhus of Epirus: his army suffered huge losses winning battles against the Romans, leaving him too weak to continue. It describes any success that ultimately proves worthless due to the immense price paid, like winning a lawsuit but losing everything in legalContinue reading “Tenkalai and Vadakalai Sri Vaishnavas’ endless legal battle: Can a Phyrric victory for either side erase the “writing on the wall” for both?”

What’s the hallmark of a Sri Vaishnava “Kovil”? The “Rangarajan Narasimhan Doctrine”!

This debate is old, petty, stale, futile and reflects so poorly on the general cultural traits of the entire Sri Vaishnava community of Tamil Nadu. Sri. Rangarajan Narasimhan has made his name as an indefatigable firebrand activist for protection of Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu. I have great personal respect for him on that account.Continue reading “What’s the hallmark of a Sri Vaishnava “Kovil”? The “Rangarajan Narasimhan Doctrine”!”

“Mudhal Mariyaadhai”, “primus inter pares” and a religious community’s “mos majorum”

Please scroll right down below to read a summary of the above verdict delivered by the Madras High Court in the matter of dispute over claims to rights of “Mudhal mariyadhai” in the Arulmigu Sri Kallazhagar Kovil , in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. It could be argued that this verdict is blatant overturning of the wellContinue reading ““Mudhal Mariyaadhai”, “primus inter pares” and a religious community’s “mos majorum””

Hindu Temple funds: The crass casuistry of Dravidianist intellectualism in “The Hindu”

THE HINDU- Monday, July 21, 2025: Opinion: Recently, a political controversy erupted in Tamil Nadu on the issue of diverting temple funds for building colleges. Scroll down below to read an Op-Ed (Propaganda) that was published by The Hindu yesterday . This Op-Ed piece is a classic example of the kind of casuistry that theContinue reading “Hindu Temple funds: The crass casuistry of Dravidianist intellectualism in “The Hindu””

For God’s sake , please make up your mind, Your Majesty, the GoI !

Not Aadhaar card, PAN card or Ration card will prove Indian citizenship;http://dhunt.in/11aIF6 Not Aadhaar card, PAN card or Ration card will prove Indian citizenship; only these documents will, and they are:  Look at the list above and consider hiw likely that an ordinary citizen living somewhere in the villages of India would possess even oneContinue reading “For God’s sake , please make up your mind, Your Majesty, the GoI !”

Democracy is not in the voting but in the counting … and well before counting , it’s in the voter listing

Very pertinent points raised in this The Hindu Op-Ed today.  It all boils down simply to the fundamental problem related  to certifying citizenship of this country.  Aadhaar card was touted as the technological marvel that had solved the problem permanently. We all remember how 10-12 years ago, all citizens were made by the government to run helter-skelterContinue reading “Democracy is not in the voting but in the counting … and well before counting , it’s in the voter listing”

Quota Reservations in Private Sector; Fundamental Rights; and underlying need for Constitutional Amendment

The six Fundamental Rights guaranteed to citizens by the Constitution of India are: 1. Right to Equality (Articles 14–18)• Guarantees equality before the law, prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth, ensures equal opportunity in public employment, abolishes untouchability, and abolishes titles.2. Right to Freedom (Articles 19–22)• Includes freedomsContinue reading “Quota Reservations in Private Sector; Fundamental Rights; and underlying need for Constitutional Amendment”

Tharoorian balderdash: ‘Why am I a Hindu?’: (Part 1 of 2)

A friend of mine sent me yesterday on WhatsApp a “many times forwarded’ copy of Shashi Tharoor’s excerpted speech reportedly now going viral on the internet. It is titled “WHY AM I A HINDU?” which I read with great interest but great disappointment. For Tharoor as elocutionist, politician, author and astute diplomat, I have greatContinue reading “Tharoorian balderdash: ‘Why am I a Hindu?’: (Part 1 of 2)”