Bhanu Prakash Singh in a CNN-IBN debate says this (emphasis by me):
Nearly 50 per cent of India was formerly princely states. So how can one stop the people from calling Rajas, Ranis, Kunwar saheb? These are sometimes even terms of affection.
Now I can imagine this conversation from the Rajah era:
Man 1: I love my Raja so much so that I never even go one kilometer near his sight and lay flat in the mud when I hear the noise of his palanquin bearers!
Man 2: I love my Thampuran so much so that I don’t mind that my would-be now bears his local administrator’s child!
Man 3: I love my Naadu Vaazhi so much so that I didn’t say anything when he killed my younger son for questioning him!
Man 1: Wow! Such love & affection!!
******
And the Congress party has asked all its members to discontinue using any feudal titles. Discontinue using fuedal titles. End of statement. Is that all, Madamme?