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Priyanka Gandhi says PM Modi’s exam reform task force has a ‘gaumutra expert’: Who Is he? What are his credentials? What is the gaumutra controversy linked to V Kamakoti?
Priyanka Gandhi and Prof V Kamakoti. (File)
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, during the Lok Sabha debate on Tuesday referred to Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti a “gaumutra (cow urine) expert”.
Why? What are his credentials? Why is he linked to cow urine? News18 explains.
WHAT DID PRIYANKA GANDHI SAY?
In her speech, Gandhi was criticising the government’s newly constituted high-powered task force to reform the National Testing Agency (NTA) to prevent paper leaks.
“This committee even includes a cow urine expert. What do such people know about the education sector,” she asked.
Her comment referenced previous remarks Kamakoti had made regarding the potential medicinal and antibacterial properties of cow urine.
The remark triggered political backlash from the BJP and other supporters, who defended Kamakoti and highlighted his extensive academic and professional record.
PRIYANKA GANDHI VADRA LABELS PROFESSOR KAMAKOTI A “GAU MUTRA” EXPERT. WE SAYGIVE US A GAU MUTRA EXPERT OVER A DYNAST ANY DAY!Here’s why:Professor Kamakoti:+ Director of IIT Madras since 2022 developed Shakti India’s first industry grade microprocessor.+ Helped the nation’s… pic.twitter.com/JIdNBciKI8— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) July 28, 2026
V BRIDE’S CREDENTIALS
Prof. V. Kamakoti received his MS and PhD degrees in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Madras. He joined the faculty of IIT Madras in 2001 and took over as its Director in January 2022.
He specialises in the area of Computer Architecture, Information Security and VLSI Design. He heads the Microprocessor Development Program and the Information Security Education and Awareness Program at IIT Madras.
He is a member of the National Security Advisory Board. He was also the Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence Task Force constituted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
At IIT Madras, he has served as the Chairman, JEE and as Associate Dean, Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research. He has over 150 publications in International Journals and Conferences, guided many research scholars for their PhD and Master of Science (by research) programme.
He has coordinated and successfully delivered close to 50 projects from Industry and Government R&D establishments. He serves in the Technology committees of the National Stock Exchange and Reserve Bank of India.
V KAMAKOTI’S AWARDS
Kamakoti is the recipient of DRDO Academic Excellence Award, Indian Electronics and Semiconductor Association Techno Visionary Award, ‘Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship’, ACCS Life-time Achievement Award, IBM Faculty Award and VASVIK Industrial Research award.
WHY THE GAUMUTRA JIBE
The “gaumutra expert” jibe stems from a controversial viral video from January 2025where Kamakoti publicly praised the medicinal properties of cow urine (gaumutra).
While speaking as the chief guest at a Maatu Pongal (a festival celebrating cattle) event at a cow shelter in Chennai, Kamakoti spoke about the value of indigenous cattle and organic farming.
In his speech, he shared a story about a prominent ascetic (sanyasi) who had a high fever. He claimed that after the ascetic drank cow urine brought from a cowshed, his fever completely disappeared within 15 minutes.
He went on to declare that cow urine is a “very big medicine” that has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and digestive properties, and can cure issues like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
The comments drew sharp criticism from opposition political leaders and parts of the scientific community, who accused the head of a premier institute like IIT Madras of peddling pseudoscience without clinical human trial evidence.
In response to the backlash, Kamakoti defended his stance by stating his remarks were rooted in science and traditional knowledge. IIT Madras later highlighted existing research papers published in renowned scientific journals (including Nature) exploring the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of cow urine compounds.
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