Deepak Daniel

@vspartha @laksr_tn In Hindu kingship a king ( or caste panchayat) had a role in the temple. In democratic india with no kings, it is the elected government. Churches and mosques have historically been able to function without a sovereign. There are institutional frameworks for administering them.

@laksr_tn Can you please give your opinion on wagf irregularities and how Govt should address them?

In Tamilnadu we are preached by some people that 'Hindus have to manage Hindu temples' and government should handover the ancient temples built by the Cholas and Pallavas (along with the vast tracts of land and gold that they own) to Hindus. The people who are building this narrative make ordinary Hindus believe that administration will go into the hands of honest, devout Hindus. What will actually happen is, a Trust will be formed. The Private Trust will consist of the rich and the powerful (politicians, big businessmen). The land, jewels and the idols that belong to the temple are more at risk as the questioning power of ordinary citizens will not exist under such a setup. Under the current system a government can be voted out and Temple management can be reformed. Private Trusts will make the entire system opaque from public scrutiny and we may be left with no option to get rid of corrupt people managing these Trusts.

@sumanthraman Karnataka operates buses with contract employees.

Since the White Paper on TN finances referred to the Transport Corporations also,here is an interesting piece of info. TN operates around 20000 buses with around 1.2 lakh employees. Karnataka operates 25000 buses with 84000 employees. Studies by the TN Govt have shown that there is at least a 20000 staff excess in TN Transport Corporation alone. In fact there was a report that said there were more than 3000 drivers and conductors on the rolls who do not work on the buses at all. With losses mounting and with more free bus travel promised who will bell this cat?

@MaitreyaBhakal That was in the past. Now with AI , the west is no longer dependent on Indians.

India has one point of leverage over the US, where it can really hit it where it hurts - India's most valuable export: it's talent. Indians are by far the most successful and wealthiest diaspora community in the US. Nobody else even comes close. If somehow India decides to weaponize this emigration, and threaten to reduce or restrict it even slightly (you don't even need to carry out the threats) - it won't be surprising if the US suddenly becomes agreeable and starts talking like a responsible adult. And as a (significant) bonus, India will get to retain more of its talent. Alas, the very idea is unthinkable. If even the slightest attempt is made to control or even manage Indian emigration to the US in India's national interests - the loudest opposition will come from Indians themselves.

@puram_politics Some times is it not fair to assume that the person has a flamboyant personality, a wild energy. Someone who would do things that others might not, a great Gatsby.

This is utter BS even within the parameters of its own flawed game. Earnestness is what earns trust. This is why all societies have taboos against showing off because it provokes envy which makes the other person act in bad faith.

@_amitbehere HDFC app is amazing.

I am probably right, but am not sure. Main reason all Indian banking apps and websites are shit is because they are built by B grade software engineers at Infosys, Cognizant, Wipro etc. I assume ...??? Same reason Indian government apps are even more shit, built by D grade s/w engineers at the same companies.

@MarturiV @karthik2k2 Chennai was part of tamil land even though ruled by telugu nayaks. Early British accounts speak of the language changing from tamil to telugu when going north of pulicat lake near Sriharikota. The modern state boundaries of Tamilnadu and Andhra match with 17th century accounts.

@karthik2k2 Chennai being a Tamil city itself a stolen legacy ! It’s Telugu city from its origin and became, pattna the cosmopolitan of 19/20century, with Telugus of AP, TN,KN, Tamils of down South, Kongu, Malayalis of Malabar and others from allover India Chennai needs modernity

Chennai could easily become a CTRL+C, CTRL+V of other cities, by contorting itself to other people’s expectations. But such bending is not in its political DNA. The influx of outsiders has obvious tangible upsides, but the intangible downsides are completely invisible to the outsiders. Especially the ones who aren’t well known for assimilation. It’s a trade-off : you can get more money, more jobs, taller buildings, swankier pubs. But your language will lose the Lingua Franca status and your culture may face slow erosion. That trade off is unacceptable to many Tamils. It’s not motivated by hatred, but by self preservation. Yes Tamils would like better infrastructure, more money or jobs, but not at the cost of de-emphasizing their own culture. If people want a Bangalore/Mumbai in Chennai, they aren’t going to get it. A Kannadiga may well get better jobs in Bangalore, but a Tamil will never feel like an alien in Chennai. If people come to Chennai expecting Chennai to change for them, they will be sorely disappointed.

@MKumaramangalam Thank you for your public service.

:-) i did the same thing with an 8 month old when I quit microsoft and came back in 2012 at the age of 32. I started at the very bottom as an elected district vice president of our youth wing. What this time has taught me is only one thing - do what you love and leave the results to the universe. I get my energy from people and I love solving their problems to the best of my abilities.i keep my kids far far away from this world because I know the only way they will survive is if they discover on their own that they love it. Even though we are on opposite sides of the ideological divide, I hoped you would win because the state and the country needs more engineers (personal bias)/doers/builders to build a better future for us all. So keep at it and you will discover that sometimes the journey is as fulfilling as the destination

@puram_politics Not all American Christians. Lots of American Christians literally follow the words of Jesus even if it goes against the cultural mileue.

You know how American Christians expect Jesus Christ to be a personal God? One who is vague enough for them to mould said god into anything they want while not really giving that God any power to say no? Tamil youth seem to want that from their Chief Minister.

@vazhapadiar @thiruja2009 Agree to everything that you say. But I do not think Sivarasan was telling everybody, that he had come to assassinate Rajiv Gandhi. Perarivalan lost his youth because of miscarriage of justice. We lost our dynamic, good hearted Prime Minister to a ruthless organization.

Absolute nonsense. Stop whitewashing terror and twisting history. The Indian Peace Keeping Force was deployed in Sri Lanka under a formal accord to stabilise a brutal conflict , not to commit “war crimes” as you casually allege without legal basis. Throwing around labels without credible convictions doesn’t make them facts. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. This is not opinion. It is a proven fact established after investigation and upheld through the judicial system. On A. G. Perarivalan, release does not equal innocence. The conspiracy and the crime remain undeniable. Don’t distort facts to suit a narrative that normalises or justifies terrorism. India sees through it. #TruthMatters #IndiaAgainstTerror #StopPropaganda

Your so-called PM was accused of war-crimes committed against Eelam Tamils. If alive, he would have been tried & prosecuted, by amnesty international kind of Human Rights organisations, as they documented it of IPKF crimes. So don't dig his files. Whereas Perarivalan case was prosecuted and govt couldn't prove his involvement. Perarivalan's counsel proved his innocence beyond doubt. He was fabricated by officials and media. Go and Check Varma & Jain commission reports.

@realitycheckind who were made as untouchables and peasants who formed the shudra's doing intermediary work. That is no origin story to be proud of.

@realitycheckind Well it would be your homestead if like the White's in Canada, Australis, New Zealand, the American north or even Israel had built the place by sweat of the brow. But instead you had alliances with Kings who settled these virgin lands with Brahmins, indigenous tribes (1/n)

atleast the seethe regarding Tamil Brahmin lands particularly in Delta it was because they were original homesteads. eg Mannargudi was ""created"" as an Agraharam. You came to their land. whether they fooled or seduced noble Tamil kings is irrelevant to the foundation myth

@haugejostein Are you really an academic? . Hire me Cambridge, I can be more professional and academic.

Link to full report. oxfam.org/en/takers-not-…

Says someone whose nation literally looted trillions from India during colonial rule.

@KrishAlpha7 @dmuthuk Appreciation for someone who has thought deeply and that too in twitter.

I get why this feels chaotic—when statements, denials, and military actions all hit at once, it looks like contradiction or deception. But it helps to separate what’s confirmed, what’s typical in conflicts, and what’s still uncertain. ⸻ 🔴 1) Conflicting statements ≠ automatic “lie” You’re seeing: • US side: “talks / pause / conditions” • Iran side: “no talks / no compromise” This happens in almost every conflict. 👉 Reasons: • Domestic messaging (each side must look strong) • Negotiation leverage (don’t appear weak publicly) • Different definitions of “talks” (direct vs indirect) So: 👉 Public contradiction is common—even when backchannels may exist or be explored ⸻ 🔴 2) “Pause” vs actions on the ground Even if a pause is announced: • It may apply to specific targets (e.g., power grid vs other assets) • It may be conditional (“if X happens”) • It may not bind all actors equally Also: • Israel has its own operational goals • United States may calibrate broader strategy 👉 In practice: Diplomacy and military pressure often run in parallel ⸻ 🔴 3) Reports need careful verification Claims like: • “Kuwait power heavily disrupted” • “Marines capturing Kharg Island” • “Energy infrastructure widely hit” 👉 These are high-impact claims and should be treated as developing / unverified unless confirmed across multiple credible outlets. In fast-moving conflicts: • Early reports are often incomplete or exaggerated • Details change within hours ⸻ 🔴 4) Why everything feels out of control Because we’re in the most unstable phase: ⚠️ Transition zone: • Not full escalation • Not real de-escalation 👉 This phase creates: • Mixed signals • Rapid reversals • Emotional reactions ⸻ 🔴 5) Trust problem is real—but broader than one person It’s not just about one leader. Right now: • Governments control narratives • Information is strategically released • Opponents challenge credibility 👉 Result: Global trust drops across the board ⸻ 🔴 6) Are we heading into a painful period? That concern is valid—but needs balance. Risks: • Prolonged conflict → oil shock • Supply disruptions • Market volatility ⸻ But also possible: • Backchannel de-escalation • Temporary ceasefires • Containment of conflict 👉 Both paths exist right now ⸻ 🧠 Big takeaway This is not a clean story of: 👉 “truth vs lie” It’s: 👉 Power, pressure, and perception playing out simultaneously ⸻ ⚠️ Final thought What you’re feeling—uncertainty, distrust, concern—is a rational response to a chaotic environment. But the key is: 👉 Don’t anchor on one narrative (even if it feels obvious) Because in phases like this: The situation can shift faster than any single conclusion you draw.

Trump's tweet last evening was a pure lie. Iran said that no one from their side has been talking with US. Also Trump said he would not attack energy infrastructure of Iran for next 5 days. Last night, US and Israel has started attacking energy infrastructure of Iran. Iran is retaliating by bombing infrastructure across gulf. Power supply is hugely disrupted in Kuwait. US marines are on their way to capture Kharg Island of Iran. I got up late today. What I'm seeing is not surprising. Trump is a pathological liar. That's why no country is able to trust Trump. Looks like the world is heading towards a very painful period.

@naziafarheen15 Joseph and the dreamer of nefarious dreams.

Before nations… before tribes… there was a well... And brothers who pushed one away out of jealousy. If you know who I'm talking about. It all started there..

@readpigg @AbujomaaGaza Thank you Paul for this detailed write up.

So what is the story?? This event was one of the notable (though relatively small-scale) incidents of discontent in the British Indian Army during WWI, influenced by Ottoman propaganda, German agents, and anti-colonial sentiments. It remains a sensitive topic in some historical narratives, sometimes portrayed as anti-imperial resistance or religious loyalty to the Caliphate, and other times as a mutiny and treason during wartime. Reliable accounts come from British colonial records, Singapore archives, and modern histories. The image is a historical photograph from the 1915 Singapore Mutiny (also called the 1915 Sepoy Mutiny or the Mutiny of the 5th Light Infantry). It shows convicted Indian Muslim soldiers (sepoys) lined up against a wall, about to be executed by a British firing squad in Singapore.en.wikipedia.org What actually happened The 5th Light Infantry was a regiment of the British Indian Army, stationed in Singapore (then a British colony). It consisted of about 850 soldiers, predominantly Indian Muslims (many of Rajput or Pathan background) from what is now northern India/Pakistan.en.wikipedia.org In early 1915, during World War I, rumours spread among the troops that they were about to be shipped off to fight against the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) in the Middle East. The Ottomans had entered the war on Germany's side, and the Ottoman Sultan (Caliph) had issued a call for global Muslim jihad against the Allies (including Britain). Many soldiers, as Muslims, were unwilling to fight fellow Muslims or the Caliph.ilmfeed.com On 15 February 1915, roughly half the regiment (around 400–800 men, depending on the account) mutinied. They killed their British officers, seized weapons and ammunition, attacked civilians, and briefly freed some German prisoners of war (from the sunken cruiser SMS Emden). The uprising spread, with mutineers killing people in various parts of Singapore.en.wikipedia.org Casualties Mutineers killed about 36–47 people (British officers, soldiers, civilians, and some others) before the rebellion was suppressed. nlb.gov.sg British, Allied, and loyal Indian forces (aided by ships from France, Russia, and Japan) put down the mutiny within days. Dozens of mutineers died in the fighting; hundreds were captured. Aftermath and executions Over 200 mutineers were court-martialled. 47 were sentenced to death and publicly executed by firing squad in Singapore in March–April 1915. These executions were carried out in groups, often publicly, to deter others. The photo in the post is one such execution scene (or a very similar one from the same events). Additional mutineers received long prison sentences; a few escaped or were killed earlier. nlb.gov.sg The viral caption ("Britain killed thousands of Indian Muslims when they refused to fight against the Singaporeans in 1914-1915") is inaccurate and misleading in several ways: The number was not thousands killed for refusal alone — roughly 47 were executed after a violent mutiny that killed dozens of others. Many more died in the fighting. They were not simply "refusing to fight" in a passive sense; this was an armed uprising involving killings of British personnel and civilians. "Against the Singaporeans" is wrong — Singapore was British territory; there was no independent "Singaporean" side. The refusal was tied to fears of fighting the Ottomans (Muslim Turks), not locals in Singapore. The date is roughly right (1915, during WWI), but the framing turns a mutiny with mutual violence into a one-sided massacre of passive refusers. heritagetimes.in 39 web pages📷📷📷 Explore Ottoman jihad propaganda Compare with 1857 Indian Mutiny Quick Answer

History: Britain killed thousands of Indian Muslims when they refused to fight against the Singaporeans in 1914-1915..

@ZaidJilani Comparing the democracy of Israel with Osama Bin Laden and ISIS, people are not supposed to write whatever they think. It only creates noise.

@darab_farooqui You choose the moral side. You do not want to choose a culture that after pillaging, killing and kidnapping more than 1200 innocent people going about their daily, ordinary lives falls down on its knees and devoutly thanks God for giving them victory.

If the choice is between powerful and weak, and you always choose the powerful side. Then you are weak.

@EylonALevy I think Israel blemishes it's name by associating with the rabid Hindu aggressiveness that Modi and his Hindutva gang has brought to India. Israel a secular, multi-ethnic and a predominantly "rule of law" based society should not debase itself by associating with Indian Hindutva.

Western leaders who surrendered to the Antizionist hate mobs on their streets have so much to learn from this true leader.

@darab_farooqui Not defending Modi and his Hindutva, but I seriously am not able to understand why an analytical person like you should be against Netanyahu. How is the leader of a country to react when a bunch of hooligans kidnap and kill innocent people going about their lives.

The International Criminal Court has proclaimed Netanyahu a war criminal. And yet, Modi is hanging out with him, shooting happy pictures, because "birds of a feather flock together."

@RajYadav873 @BesuraTaansane Also she never brought the issue of Palestinians. She says " Is it a good look for the Prime Minister to get involved with Netanyahu when he is domestically entangled and his address is making it more Personal"

I understand the frustration with selective outrage, but let’s keep this grounded. It’s fair to debate foreign policy positions. For example, if someone opposes closer India–Israel relations on human rights grounds, you can ask if they apply the same moral standards to Pakistan’s record with India. That’s a valid consistency check. However, accusing someone of “Ummah loyalty” or questioning their Indianness based on their views weakens the argument. Foreign policy isn’t a cricket match where you stick to one side. India maintains relations with Israel, Palestine, and Pakistan (even if strained). That’s diplomacy, not fandom. If Seema Chishti states a position, question the reasoning behind it. Ask: Is India’s engagement with Israel driven by morality or strategy? Should human rights influence all bilateral relations? If so, should that principle be applied universally? Focus on attacking the argument, not the person. Because once the debate shifts to religion or loyalty, it ceases to be strategic and turns into emotional noise.

Seema Chishti doesn’t want India to have relations with Israel because she thinks Israel has killed Palestinians But same Seema Chishti wants India to have relations with Pakistan who has killed thousands of Indians Btw for those who may have gotten confused Seema is Indian (at least claims to be), not Palestianian 😉 Rehte hai Bharat mein, dil dhadakta hai Philistin or Pak ke liye - power of Ummah