215 academics slam Priyanka Gandhi in letter over ‘gaumutra expert’ remark on IIT Madras Director Professor V Kamakoti

A group of 215 Vice Chancellors, former Vice Chancellors and academics has written an open letter to Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, criticising her remarks about IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti.
215 academics write open letter to Priyanka Gandhi (Image via NDTV and TIE)

A group of 215 Vice Chancellors, former Vice Chancellors and academics has written an open letter to Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, expressing their rage over her remarks against IIT Madras Director Professor V Kamakoti during the Parliament debate on the NEET paper leak issue.

In the letter dated 30th July, the signatories said that Parliament should remain a place where “ideas are debated with rigour, disagreements are expressed with dignity, and individuals are judged by the strength of their arguments rather than by caricatures.”

Referring to Priyanka Gandhi‘s description of Professor V Kamakoti as a “gaumutra expert”, they wrote that whether the remark was made as sarcasm or political rhetoric, it raised concerns that went beyond one individual.

The letter highlighted Professor Kamakoti’s academic and professional achievements, noting that he holds M.S. and PhD degrees in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Madras, has published more than 150 research papers, worked on over 50 research and development projects, received several awards, and played a key role in developing India’s first industry-grade microprocessor.

The academics said, “To dismiss a scholar through a label rather than engage with the substance of his views risks undermining the very scientific temper that our Constitution calls upon every citizen to develop.” They added that scientific temper also means examining claims objectively before accepting or rejecting them.

The letter further stated, “Our scientists, scholars, and educators deserve to know that they can participate in public debate without fear of being reduced to dismissive labels.” It urged public representatives to challenge arguments and evidence instead of questioning scholarship itself.

Calling for healthier public discourse, the signatories wrote, “In a democracy, disagreement is essential. Mockery is not a substitute for reasoned engagement.” They also said, “When complex scientific questions become objects of political ridicule, society loses an opportunity for informed debate.”

Priyanka Gandhi’s remarks in Parliament against Professor V Kamakoti

The controversy began after the deadlock in Parliament ended earlier this week, allowing a discussion on the NEET paper leak. During the debate in the Lok Sabha, Priyanka Gandhi criticised the Central government’s approach to education reforms and questioned the composition of the newly formed task force set up to recommend next-generation reforms in the education sector.

Referring to the members of the committee, she said, “The Radhakrishna Committee was also formed to bring in reforms. Till date, none of his recommendations has been implemented.”

Gandhi added, “And now this new committee has an ex-IB chief, an owner of an IT company, and also a ‘gaumutra visheshagya’ (cow urine expert). What do they know about education?” The comment by Priyanka Gandhi was widely seen as a reference to IIT Madras Director Professor V Kamakoti and has since drawn criticism from several members of the academic community.

Notably, Islamo-letists, and even Islamic terrorists, like the Pulwama attack perpetrator, have long been hurling the ‘gaumutra’ jibe to mock the Hindu community.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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