NEW DELHI: A video of IIT Madras director V Kamakoti praising the “medicinal value” of gomutra (cow urine) has gone viral on social media. The remarks were made during an event at a Go Samrakshana Sala on January 15, 2025, coinciding with Maatu Pongal, a Tamil festival celebrating cattle.
Poll
Do You Agree With Kamakoti’s Views on Gomutra and Organic Farming?
Speaking at the event, Kamakoti narrated an anecdote about a sanyasi who allegedly recovered from high fever after consuming gomutra. He claimed that cow urine possesses “anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and digestive properties” and could be a remedy for conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
The IIT-Madras director linked his remarks to the broader importance of organic farming, emphasising the role of indigenous cattle in agriculture and the economy. “We can forget Bhoomi Mata (Mother Earth) if we use fertilisers. The quicker we switch to organic, natural farming, the better it will be for us,” he said.
The comments sparked sharp criticism from various political and social groups. Dravidar Kazhagam, a rationalist outfit, called the remarks “shameful” and accused Kamakoti of promoting unscientific beliefs.
DMK leader TKS Elangovan alleged the central government was using such narratives to “spoil” education in the country. K Ramakrishnan, leader of the Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, demanded Kamakoti provide evidence for his claims or apologize, threatening protests otherwise.
Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram also weighed in, tweeting, “Peddling pseudoscience by IIT Madras Director is most unbecoming.”
Sources close to Kamakoti told news agency PTI that his remarks were part of a larger context addressing the threats to indigenous breeds and were supported by scientific studies, including one published in Nature, which examined bioactive properties of cow urine.
Kamakoti, who assumed charge as IIT-Madras director in 2022, is a recipient of the DRDO Academy Excellence Award (2013) for his contributions to scientific research and technology development.