New Delhi: Vice chancellors and academic leaders have strongly condemned Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi for mocking IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti as a “gaumutra expert” (cow urine expert) during a Lok Sabha debate on examination reforms.
During a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi criticized the composition of a high-powered national exam reform panel.
She questioned the inclusion of various officials, making a veiled reference to Prof. Kamakoti by stating the committee included a “gaumutra expert” alongside an ex-IB chief and an IT company owner.
The comment targeted remarks made by Prof. Kamakoti regarding the traditional and biological properties of cow urine.
Prof. V. Kamakoti is a distinguished computer scientist, a Padma Shri recipient, and has served as the Director of Indian Institute of Technology Madras since 2022.
He holds an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Madras and has headed national initiatives in artificial intelligence and information security.
He was appointed to the government panel for examination and testing reforms in light of his technical and administrative credentials.
Ruling party members, led by BJP MP Anurag Thakur, immediately objected to the statements in Parliament, defending the academic record and stature of Prof. Kamakoti.
Numerous academicians, vice chancellors, and public figures criticized the remark as a personal slur that disrespects leading scientists and diminishes dignified discourse on educational policy.
