New Delhi, July 31: Academics and university leaders across India have expressed outrage over Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s comment referring to IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti as a “cow urine expert” during a Lok Sabha session. Many institutional heads have labeled the statement as disrespectful to the scientific community, asserting that such language is unbecoming of a prestigious institution like Parliament.
Dr. Mukesh Pandey, Vice Chancellor of Bundelkhand University in Jhansi, stated, “In my view, Dr. V. Kamakoti is a renowned academic and the director of one of India’s leading institutions, IIT Madras. The comment made about him is inappropriate. The language used in public life and Parliament profoundly impacts society and youth. Scientists and academics should be treated with respect, and the use of dignified parliamentary language fosters trust in science and education.”
Dr. Poonam Tandon, Vice Chancellor of Gorakhpur University, emphasized, “A nation’s identity is shaped by its scientific and technological advancements, which can only thrive with support for research. Prof. V. Kamakoti is a distinguished scientist. It is inappropriate for someone who lacks scientific understanding to comment on his research. Any remark made without understanding the research or the scientist is misguided.”
Dr. Tandon, a physicist herself, added, “Scientific research is evaluated based on publications in journals like ‘Nature’ and ‘Science’, patent registrations, citations, and other internationally recognized standards. Comments from those who do not grasp these aspects are unfortunate. Linking science with politics is detrimental to any nation and demoralizes scientists.”
Dr. Sanjeet Gupta, former Vice Chancellor of Jananayak Chandrashekhar University in Gorakhpur, remarked, “India’s culture has always respected scholars and intellectuals. Prof. V. Kamakoti is a highly esteemed scholar. Such comments are akin to criticizing scholars and, in a way, Indian culture itself. Politics has its own culture, where criticism and opposition are natural. However, when it comes to scholars, they should be kept out of that realm. Making comments without a solid basis mocks a scholar and demoralizes the academic community.”
Dr. Pradeep Sharma, former Vice Chancellor of Maharaja Suheldev University, stated, “Prof. V. Kamakoti of IIT Madras is a respected educator who has led the institution as its director. His research is of a very high standard. I learned from the media that a parliamentarian referred to him as a ‘cow urine expert’, which seems like a sarcastic remark. Such comments are not appropriate for a scholar of his stature. Parliament is the country’s highest legislative body, where lawmakers hold responsible and respected positions. Therefore, any remarks made about academics or scientists can have far-reaching consequences. If our scholars are not spoken of with respect, it sends a wrong message and negatively impacts the academic community.”
In Mumbai, Prof. Manoj K. Tiwari, Director of the Indian Institute of Management, who holds various prestigious titles, commented, “I believe that Prof. Kamakoti, who was recently awarded the Padma Shri and has made significant contributions to computer science, deserves better recognition than being subjected to mockery. It is unnecessary to demean someone who has dedicated their life to academia and advanced high-quality research.”
He continued, “These are individuals who work in the field of computer science. They are included in committees not due to their other expertise but because of their background in computer science and their ability to manage the challenging JEE exam organized by IIT Madras. Last year, you may have noticed that it worked very well. They have also been part of many analyses conducted by the new government regarding issues related to the tough exam. Therefore, they possess unique experience and expertise.”
Prof. Tiwari emphasized, “Scientists and professors do not chase publicity or fame. They are not going to run for elections. They are simply doing their jobs correctly. Therefore, first and foremost, anyone should use respectful language when referring to scientists and professors, even if they do not offer praise, as we do not enter this profession expecting grand accolades.”
Sachin Chaturvedi, Vice Chancellor of Nalanda University, stated, “This issue has become crucial because Prof. V. Kamakoti is not only the director of IIT Madras but also one of the leading scientists in the country. He has dedicated his entire life to high-level research and promoting scientific thinking in society. For many years, he has been engaged in significant work in technology, information technology, and cybersecurity. This matter is very important because Parliament is our largest democratic institution. If it mocks scientists instead of engaging in discussions and meaningful debates, it would be a very unfortunate situation for the country.”
Prof. Chandrabhooshan Sharma, Vice Chancellor of Vinoba Bhave University in Hazaribagh, noted, “This has greatly impacted the academic community. Everyone is asking, if such remarks can be made about a scientist like Prof. Kamakoti, what does that say about our standing? We are academics.”
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