IIT Madras Director praises cow urine's 'medicinal value', sparks row

IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti has caused a lot of controversy after he praised cow urine, also known as "gaumutra," for its supposed medicinal properties. He claimed that cow urine can help treat infections, and has "anti-bacterial," "anti-fungal," and digestive benefits. Kamakoti even shared a story to support his view. In the viral video, he spoke about an ascetic, or a religious person, who cured himself of a high fever after drinking cow urine. Kamakoti said the ascetic had been about to call a doctor but instead drank cow urine, and within 15 minutes, his fever went down.

Kamakoti made these statements during a speech at a 'Go Samrakshana Sala' on January 15, in Chennai, as part of Maatu Pongal celebrations. Maatu Pongal is a festival where people celebrate and show gratitude to cows, which are important in farming and agriculture.

While talking about the benefits of cow urine, Kamakoti also stressed the importance of protecting indigenous cows and promoting organic farming. He said that switching to organic farming would be beneficial for the environment, our health, and the economy. He also encouraged the use of biogas and advised against turning agricultural land into places for commercial activities like shopping malls or wedding halls.

His comments, however, triggered a strong political reaction. DMK leader TKS Elangovan criticized Kamakoti, accusing the central government of ruining education in the country. Congress leader Karti Chidambaram also spoke out, calling Kamakoti’s remarks "pseudoscience." The rationalist group Dravidar Kazhagam labeled the statement as "shameful" and pointed out that studies show cow urine can have harmful bacteria, making it unfit for consumption. Kali Poongundran, a leader of the group, urged people not to believe such statements.

Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam leader K Ramakrishnan demanded that Kamakoti provide evidence for his claims or apologize. He also warned that if Kamakoti didn’t apologize, protests would be held against him. Dr. GR Ravindranath, from the Doctors Association for Social Equality, expressed concern that drinking cow urine could lead to bacterial infections, and criticized the government for supporting what he called "pseudo-science."

In response to the backlash, Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai defended Kamakoti. He said the comments were Kamakoti's personal opinion and that he didn’t force anyone to drink cow urine. Annamalai also criticized the DMK and others for turning the issue into a political matter.

Supporters of Kamakoti pointed out that his comments were made in the context of his own experience as an organic farmer. They also clarified that he made the remarks at a cowshed event where the focus was on promoting the benefits of organic farming and protecting cows.

At the same event, Kamakoti highlighted the importance of preserving indigenous cows, which play a key role in organic farming. He argued that using chemical fertilizers harms the earth and that organic farming is a much better approach. Kamakoti also spoke about the British colonial education system and how it negatively impacted India. He suggested that British figures like Thomas Babington Macaulay worked to eliminate indigenous cows and bring India into a state of dependence.

Kamakoti, who became the Director of IIT Madras in January 2022, is known for his contributions to science and technology. He has received awards such as the DRDO Academy Excellence Award in 2013 for his research and work in the field of technology.

Jan. 20, 2025 {{ Blogdetails.schedule_date|time }} 487

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