CSJMU VC: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi's remark on IIT Madras director disrespectful to academic community

KANPUR: Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University's Vice-Chancellor criticised Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's "gau mutra expert" remark against IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti during the Lok Sabha debate on the Anti-Paper Leak Bill, describing it as "disrespectful" to the country's scientific and academic community.

"Scientists and academicians should remain above political discourse, as they work for society and the advancement of knowledge rather than for any political ideology," Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Vinay Kumar Pathak told PTI.

"I have been a researcher myself. Public representatives should refrain from making such remarks about scientists," he said, and described Kamakoti as a distinguished academician with significant research contributions. Pathak said the statement had hurt the sentiments of scientists and educators across the country.

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CSJMU VC writes to MP

The VC said he has written to Priyanka Gandhi, urging her to withdraw her remarks and exercise restraint while commenting on scientists and academicians. Pathak appealed to political parties to condemn such statements, saying the dignity of scientists and educational institutions must be preserved.

"Scientists and academicians are responsible for advancing the country's knowledge tradition and driving innovation. Remarks that undermine their credibility are detrimental to education and scientific temper," he told PTI. Kamakoti, a Padma awardee, is a member of the six-member task force on exam reforms constituted by the Centre after the NEET paper leak row.

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Speaking in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Priyanka Gandhi had said, "He needs (the prime minister) 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 'gau mutra' expert." Kamakoti had courted controversy in January 2025 with his speech during Pongal celebrations at a cow shelter in Chennai. In his speech, he narrated 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.