Vairamuthu Controversy on Andal: Can the original book with baseless reference be removed from circulation?

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Andal has been at the centre of discussions, debates and protests this month of Margazhi in Tamil Nadu. The frivolous mention of the revered Goddess by a Tamil cinema poet Vairamuthu has led to enormous protests in Tamil Nadu and has hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community. While there are efforts on to make Vairamuthu apologise for his remarks, the Madras High Court has stayed criminal proceedings against him, considering that he had only quoted a reference. Whether Vairamuthu quoted the reference with ulterior motives or if there were hidden forces behind his actions is known only to Vairamuthu and to those behind him. However, the fact remains that his reference was made to a book which is a collection of papers. Vairamuthu's reference is based on this book: Indian movements : some aspects of dissent protest and reform Author: S C Malik Publisher: Simla : Indian Institute of Advanced Study, ©1978. The particular article used as reference from the book: 'The Bhakti Movement in South India' Authors: Narayanan, M.G.S. and Kesavan Veluthat Narayanan and Kesavan have in turn made the reference in their paper based on the book called "Sri Subrahmanya Ayyar lectures on the History of sri Vaishnavas", delivered by Mr T A Gopinatha Rao. However, in this original reference, there are no references made to Andal as a "Devadasi" as referred to by Narayanan M.G.S and Kesavan Veluthat in their paper.

Thanthi TV has contacted the author, Mr M.G.S Narayanan. This video shows Thanthi TV having a phone conversation with MGS Narayanan and him admitting that "there is no specific mention of Andal" as such in the original reference as he had mentioned, and that it is only "contextual interpretation". When the author of the work admits that it is only "an interpretation", and when the word used today could have such wrong connotations that lead to social disharmony, should the author not remove the reference, or withdraw the book that contains the reference from circulation, especially in the context of all the problems that it has created, and could again cause in the future? MGS Narayanan is the President of the Indian Academy of Social Sciences, and his contact details are as follows: Prof. M.G.S. Narayanan “MAITRY” M-6/7 Malaparamba Housing Society Calicut 673009 (Kerala) Tel: 0495-2370328 (R), M: 0-9447637359 E-mail: mgsnarayanan@yahoo.com Can some social groups contact the publisher through the author and arrange for the withdrawal of the book or issue a statement of rebuttal of the claims made in the book, so that no further works are made using the book as reference? Book's title: Indian movements : some aspects of dissent protest and reform edited and introduced by S.C. Malik. Library of Congress Control Number: 80900105 //r86 System Control Number: ocm07043192 Cataloging Source: DLC, DLC Geographic Area Code: a-ii- Library of Congress Call Number: HN683.5 .I535 1978 Dewey Decimal Classification Number: 303.4/84$219 Publication, Distribution, etc.: Simla . Indian Institute of Advanced Study, (c)1978. Physical Description: viii, 296 p. ;, 23 cm. Series Statement: Studies in Indian and Asian civilizations Bibliography, etc. Note: Includes bibliographical references and index. Geographic Name: India$xReligion. Geographic Name: India$xCivilization. Personal Name: Malik, S. C. (Subhash Chandra), 1932- Andal is revered as an Avatar of Goddess Maha Lakshmi Herself by Hindus, and is among the 12 Alwars of South India. It is important that such baseless claims made be removed or rebuttals issued so that these baseless claims do not form the basis for further references, which could create further tensions in the society and hurt the religious sensitivities of Hindus. It would be great service to Andal, Alwars, and the society at large, for some influential social groups to take this up as the next course of action.