IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti Praises Cow Urine for Its 'Medicinal Value'; Viral Video, Sparks Controversy

IIT M Director V Kamakoti's praise of cow urine for its "medicinal value" in a video has sparked backlash, with political leaders criticizing his remarks as pseudoscience and calling for his transfer.

Chennai: A video clip of IIT Madras director V Kamakoti allegedly praising gomutra (cow urine) for its "medicinal value" has gone viral on social media, sparking controversy and criticism from political leaders.
In the video, Kamakoti purportedly endorses the "anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and digestive properties" of gomutra and claims it is beneficial for conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, according to a report by PTI. The clip shows him narrating an anecdote about a sanyasi who, he claims, consumed cow urine to alleviate a high fever.

Remarks Made at Goshala Event

The event where Kamakoti made these remarks took place at a Go Samrakshana Sala in Chennai. Although Hindustan Times has not independently verified the video's authenticity, sources from the institution confirmed the comments to PTI. They mentioned that Kamakoti, an "organic farmer," spoke in the context of a broader discussion at the Goshala event.

Calls for Kamakoti’s Transfer

The remarks drew sharp criticism from members of the Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Congress leader Karti P Chidambaram condemned the statement, alleging that Kamakoti was "peddling pseudoscience." "Peddling pseudoscience by IIT Madras Director is most unbecoming @IMAIndiaOrg," Chidambaram tweeted, tagging the Indian Medical Association.

DMK leader TKS Elangovan also demanded action against the IIT director, suggesting that he should be transferred to a medical institution. "He must be transferred from IIT and posted at some of the GOI medical colleges. What will he do in IIT? It's related to engineering and other fields," Elangovan said in a statement to Times Now. "He should be posted in AIIMS as Director. The GOI should immediately throw him out of IIT and appoint him as director of some AIIMS."

The comments have sparked a debate about the intersection of traditional practices and modern science, particularly in educational institutions known for their focus on technology and engineering.