New Delhi, July 31: The remarks made by Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra regarding the Indian hockey team‘s saffron jersey and IIT Madras Director Professor V. Kamakoti have sparked widespread reactions across the country. Numerous leaders, academics, and university chancellors have expressed their objections to her statements. The Samajwadi Party has accused the government of imposing an ideological agenda by changing the color of the hockey team’s jersey.
Sadhvi Pragya Bharti responded to the questions raised about Priyanka Gandhi’s stance on saffron, stating that the choice of jersey color for the hockey, football, basketball, or cricket teams is a personal matter. She emphasized that saffron symbolizes sacrifice, penance, and dedication to the nation. Bharti questioned why Priyanka Gandhi is so opposed to the color saffron, noting that Congress leaders are often seen visiting temples and draping saffron shawls during elections. She urged them to stop this hypocrisy, as the entire country and the world are watching.
In the same vein, Vinod Bansal, spokesperson for the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), criticized Congress. He stated that sports should not be politicized and accused Congress of repeatedly dragging saffron into controversies. He highlighted that saffron represents India’s culture, history, self-respect, and national identity. He reminded that saffron is also the highest color in the tricolor flag and urged Congress to keep colors, culture, and sports separate from politics. He noted that Congress has previously attempted to tarnish saffron’s image but has failed each time.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman took a different stance on the change in the hockey team’s jersey color. He claimed that there is an ongoing effort to impose the ideology, attire, and culture of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) across the country, and changing the hockey team’s jersey is part of that process.
The controversy surrounding Priyanka Gandhi’s comments on Professor V. Kamakoti is also intensifying. Professor K.S. Chandrashekar, Vice-Chancellor of Cluster University in Jammu, has released an open letter that has garnered support from over 215 academics. He stated that while criticism is not wrong in a democratic system, it is essential to understand a person’s work and achievements before commenting on their qualifications and contributions. He emphasized that Professor Kamakoti’s contributions to India are significant and that questions about his reputation should not be raised without facts. Maintaining the dignity of language in public life is crucial.
Professor Shubha Tiwari, former Vice-Chancellor of Maharaja Chhatrasal Bundelkhand University in Madhya Pradesh, remarked that a scientific approach means listening to both sides of any issue. She noted that many medicines are still made from animal-based products, and anyone who disagrees with Professor Kamakoti’s views should present their arguments logically. She highlighted that he has made remarkable contributions to education, research, and computer science over four decades, giving India a global identity through projects like the ‘Shakti’ microprocessor. Mocking such a scientist is inappropriate, she added, supporting the open letter signed by 215 academics and stressing the need for dignified language in Parliament.
Dr. Kishor Singh N. Chavda, Vice-Chancellor of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University in Surat, stated that whenever a scientist or a Padma awardee is politically commented upon, the entire community of vice-chancellors will respond. He described scientists as invaluable assets to the nation, emphasizing that they deserve respectful treatment. Debates on any research or scientific ideas should be based on facts and arguments, not personal remarks, as this affects the morale of the scientific community.
In Lucknow, Samajwadi Party MLA Ravidas Mehrotra reacted to the controversy, stating that scholars and those in academia should be kept away from political disputes. He suggested that the opposition should focus on policy issues rather than targeting academics and chancellors.
On the other hand, Uttar Pradesh Minister of State Dinesh Pratap Singh criticized Priyanka Gandhi’s statements, asserting that one cannot expect the Gandhi family to behave in accordance with Indian traditions and culture. He remarked that if a scientist is labeled as a “cow urine expert,” similar political reactions will follow, but leaders should refrain from using such language against one another.
Alok Rai, Director of IIM Calcutta, supported Professor Kamakoti, stating that he is a distinguished figure in computer science in India and that under his leadership, IIT Madras has achieved significant milestones. He noted that various products associated with cows have been used in Indian tradition for a long time, and studies have been conducted on the medicinal properties of cow urine in areas such as skin issues, immunity enhancement, digestion, and weight control.
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