Vice Chancellors of many universities and higher educational institutions have criticized the statement given by Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the Lok Sabha, in which she called IIT Madras Director Professor V. Kamakoti a ‘cow urine expert’. 215 Vice Chancellors, former Vice Chancellors and academicians of the country have written an open letter to Priyanka Gandhi in protest against her remarks. In protest against his statement, academics have expressed deep disappointment and expressed concern over the declining level of public debate. The letter said that it is always expected from the Indian Parliament that ideas should be debated seriously and disagreements should be expressed with dignity.
The letter reads, ‘Instead of talking about the reality of a scholar’s ideas, dismissing them with a label runs the risk of harming the scientific temper that our Constitution asks every citizen to develop. Our scientists, scholars and teachers have the right to know that they can participate in public debate without fear of being labeled dismissively. When complex scientific questions become the subject of political jokes, society loses the opportunity for informed debate. Disagreement is necessary in democracy. Making fun is not a substitute for logical conversation.
Academics expressed concern over Priyanka’s statement
The letter addressed to Priyanka further states that ‘The Parliament of India has always been expected to be a forum where ideas are debated seriously, disagreements are expressed with respect and people are judged on the strength of their arguments and not on their humorous portrayals. It is in this spirit that we are writing to you to express our disappointment over the comment in which you called Professor V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, a ‘cow urine expert’. “Whether it’s satire or political rhetoric, comments like this raise concerns that go far beyond any one individual.”
Achievements of Professor Kamakoti
The achievements of Professor Kamakoti are also mentioned in the letter. It is written in the letter that Professor Kamakoti is the head of one of the most prominent scientific and technical institutions of India. He received MS and Ph.D in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Madras. Have obtained degree. He has published more than 150 research papers and has been involved in more than 50 R&D projects. He has received several honors and awards, including the DRDO Academic Excellence Award and the Indian Electronics and Semiconductor Association Techno Visionary Award. He was instrumental in creating India’s first industry-grade microprocessor. Needless to say, he is one of the top technical experts of the country.
How did the controversy start?
In fact, the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was being debated in the Lok Sabha, during which Priyanka Gandhi questioned the government’s approach to reforming India’s examination system after the National Testing Agency (NTA) crisis. He described Professor V. Kamakoti, a member of the Education Reform Committee constituted by the Centre, as a ‘cow urine expert’, after which the controversy started.
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