Over 200 academics slam Priyanka Gandhi over 'gaumutra expert' gibe at IIT Madras chief
The Congress MP's indirect dig at V Kamakoti, a member of the government's new education reforms task force has drawn a sharp rebuke from several scholars
Amid the opposition’s ongoing tirade against the Narendra Modi government over the education sector reforms, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi has drawn the ire of several academics for her recent remarks made against V Kamakoti, director of IIT Madras, one of the members of the new task force the government has formed under Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani for executing the reforms after a massive student protest.
Over 200 vice chancellors (VCs), former VCs and academics penned an open letter to criticise the parliamentarian for allegedly belittling Kamakoti by calling him a “gaumutra (cow urine) expert”.
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“We write to express our disappointment over your reported remark describing IIT Madras Director Professor V Kamakoti as a ‘gaumutra expert’. Whether intended as sarcasm or political rhetoric, such a characterisation raises concerns that go far beyond one individual. Professor Kamakoti is the head of one of India’s foremost scientific and technological institutions,” the three-page letter said.
“Like every academic, he is entitled to present hypotheses, discuss traditional knowledge and participate in scientific conversations. To dismiss a scholar through a label rather than engage with the substance of his views risks undermining the very scientific temper that our Constitution calls upon every citizen to develop.
Academics stress 'scientific temper'
“Scientific temper is not merely scepticism towards unconventional ideas; it is equally the willingness to examine claims objectively before accepting or rejecting them,” it added.
It mentioned that Professor Kamakoti “has M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Madras” and “has published over 150 research papers and has been involved in over 50 R&D projects”.
It also said that the IIT Madras director “has several honours and accolades to his name, including the DRDO Academic Excellence Award and the Indian Electronics and Semiconductor Association Techno Visionary Award. He has been the guiding force behind India's first industry grade microprocessor. Needless to say, he is one of the top tech brains of the country”.
It expressed concerns that remarks made against Kamakoti send an adverse message to India’s academic and research community.
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"In a democracy, disagreement is essential. Mockery is not a substitute for reasoned engagement. Public representatives wield enormous influence over the quality of national discourse. When complex scientific questions become objects of political ridicule, society loses an opportunity for informed debate,” the letter said.
The letter’s signatories included Nalanda University VC Sachin Chaturvedi, former NITI Aayog chairman Rajiv Kumar, NAAC Director Ganesan Kannabiran, former UPSC chairman D P Agarwal, and ex-AICTE chairman Anil Sahasrabudhe, among others.
Kamakoti, a Padma awardee and one of the six members in the task force on exam reforms that the Centre constituted after the recent NEET paper leak row. It also includes former chairmen of the ISRO and IB, an ex-education secretary and a logistics expert.
Priyanka mocked 'gaumutra expert' in task force
Priyanka’s controversial remarks came during her speech delivered on The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday (July 28).
Although she did not take Kamakoti’s name, her remarks were understood to be directed at the latter.
While saying that none of the recommendations of the former Radhakrishnan Committee to reform the education system was implemented, the Congress MP questioned the need for another new body and mocked, saying it even consisted of a “gau expert”.
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“He (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) needs to understand that merely setting up new committees will not work. Not a single recommendation of the Radhakrishnan Committee has been implemented to date. Meanwhile, the new committee includes a former IB chief, an IT company owner, and even a 'gaumutra' expert,” she had said.
Members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party criticised her for her remarks.
Kamakoti triggered 'gaumutra' row in 2025
In January 2025, Kamakoti courted controversy by uttering at an event at a cow shelter in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, during Pongal celebrations that cow urine has medicinal benefits. He said cow urine has “anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and digestive properties”, and is useful for treating conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
He also told the story of a 'sanyasi' who, according to him, recovered from high fever after drinking cow urine.
A video of the speech went viral, drawing criticism from several scientists, politicians and social media users.
Responding to the criticism, Kamakoti had maintained at the time that his comments were based on published scientific literature.
(With agency inputs)