I think you're slightly off. I think everyone has read the same information as you. I don't get where "some people" are acting like Mahindra doesn't use any treatment to the exhaust (got a source?). I think the preference some show toward the Mahindra system has to do with part of what you mentioned which is the apparent cost difference. Hearing about the few DPFs that've had to be replaced at $3k each (even though most or all have been warranty items thus far) should be enough to make anyone cringe at the thought of owning one. I think the other thing that folk like about the Mahindra system is there is no regeneration cycles needed to clean it back up every few hours. I've personally came across nobody that thinks the Mahindra engines are just magically cleaner.
What I didn't post is that engines that have just a DOC do not remove as much particulate matter as a DPF system does. I have not seen how clean the exhaust is or has to be. It appears that a engine with just a DOC is quite dirtier than one with a DPF. A lot of machinery ( large off road and pick up trucks and large trucks) use both.