In a recent controversy that has sparked heated debates, IIT Madras Director Professor Veezhinathan Kamakoti has become a target of attack from Dravidian student unions and the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu for his personal religious practices and remarks on the medicinal properties of cow urine (gaumutra).
The Controversy Surrounding Professor Kamakoti
Earlier this month, Professor Kamakoti was seen singing Margazhi bhajans in his ancestral village, Vishnupuram, near Kumbakonam. Dressed in traditional attire, he participated in the devotional practice, which is a common cultural expression in Tamil Nadu during the Margazhi month. However, this act of personal faith was politicized by certain student unions and political leaders, who accused him of promoting regressive practices.
Madras #IIT Director V Kamakoti speaking in a Pongal festival in Chennai said diseases can be cured quickly by drinking cow urine.
Kamakoti addedthat when his father had a fever, drank cow urine on the advice of a sanyasi and the fever subsided after fifteen minutes. he said… pic.twitter.com/JA40Qsicnv— Suresh Kumar (@journsuresh) January 19, 2025
The criticism intensified when a video of Kamakoti praising the medicinal benefits of cow urine went viral. Speaking at a Go Samrakshana Sala event on Maatu Pongal on 15 January 2025, he shared an anecdote about a sanyasi whose fever subsided after consuming cow urine. He also mentioned its effectiveness in treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
While Kamakoti’s remarks were based on traditional beliefs and anecdotal evidence, they were met with scorn and mockery from opposition leaders. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram called it “pseudoscience,” while DMK leader TKS Elangovan sarcastically suggested that Kamakoti be transferred to a medical institution instead of IIT Madras.
Peddling pseudoscience by @iitmadras Director is most unbecoming @IMAIndiaOrg https://t.co/ukB0jwBh8G
— Karti P Chidambaram (@KartiPC) January 18, 2025
Elangovan even went as far as to say that Kamakoti should be “thrown out of the education system” and made to perform pujas in temples.
'Gau Mutra' Remark Row
People like KamaKoti should be thrown out of the education system: TKS Elangovan, DMK@anchoramitaw with reactions. pic.twitter.com/rRruddMmah
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) January 20, 2025
The ideological parent organization of the DMK, the Dravidar Kazhagam labelled Professor V Kamakoti’s statements as “shameful” and “regressive.” Its leader, Kali Poongundran, urged the public to reject such views.
VIDEO | Here's what Dravidar Kazhagam Vice-President Kali Poongundran said on the 'cow urine' remarks by IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti yesterday.
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/RZhkDlvXx7
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 19, 2025
The Hypocrisy Of The DMK In Not Calling Out Their Alliance Partner For The Same
The backlash, however, reeks of political opportunism and hypocrisy, especially when the INDI alliance partner, Kerala’s CPIM, is actively selling cow urine-based medicines through its state-owned ayurvedic company, Oushadhi.
What makes this criticism particularly hypocritical is the fact that Kerala, governed by the CPIM—a key ally of the INDI alliance—has been actively promoting and selling cow urine-based medicines through its state-owned ayurvedic company, Oushadhi.
Oushadhi produces ‘Panchagavya Ghrutham,’ a five-ingredient medicine made from cow dung, cow urine, cow milk, ghee, and curd. The company claims that this formulation can cure mental diseases, jaundice, fever, epilepsy, and even improve memory and concentration. Notably, Oushadhi is one of the largest public-sector ayurveda companies in India, generating significant revenue for the Kerala government.
In 2021, the Kerala government even approached the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to explore the use of cow urine-based ayurvedic medicines for Covid-19 treatment. This move underscores the state’s endorsement of traditional remedies, including those derived from cow urine.
The stark contrast in reactions to cow urine-based remedies highlights the double standards of political parties. While the DMK and Congress are quick to mock and condemn Professor Kamakoti for his personal beliefs, their ally CPIM is actively commercializing and promoting similar traditional practices in Kerala.
BJP leaders have rightly pointed out this hypocrisy. Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai defended Kamakoti, stating that everyone has the right to practice their religion and beliefs.
VIDEO | Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai (@annamalai_k) says, "It's unfortunate that our Chennai IIT Director, who is a very decorated person, who is an expert in AI, quantum computing, he chose to follow his dharma. He chose to pray to god in his own way. That is being… pic.twitter.com/cdJUrwZk3B
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 19, 2025
He urged student unions to respect the sanctity of institutions like IIT Madras, which are a pride of the nation. Similarly, BJP leader Narayan Tirupati emphasized that cow urine has been part of Indian tradition and is used in medicines, citing former Prime Minister Morarji Desai as an example.
(With inputs from OpIndia)
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