“Cow urine ‘anti-bacterial’, ‘anti-fungal'”: IIT Madras director’s big comment

Chennai:

,cow urine‘, or cow urine, has “anti-bacterial” and “anti-fungal” properties, and can cure a variety of ailments, including IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome – advises apparently the director of Chennai’s Indian Institute of V is given by Kamakoti. Technology, according to a video that surfaced online on Monday.

Amid the outrage over his remarks, NDTV this morning asked Professor Kamakoti whether someone who preaches science and scientific temper should also spread superstition. To this he replied, “The anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of cow urine have been scientifically demonstrated… Top journals in the United States have published scientific evidence.”

Pro. According to the website of Kamakoti – whose research interests include computational geometry Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Madras – Also attacked the notion that there is no strong experimental or scientific evidence on the medicinal properties of cow urine.

He shared an article published in NatureA respected weekly scientific journal, in June 2021, published the results of “Peptide Profiling in Cow Urine” by scientists associated with the Animal Biotechnology Center and Cell Biology and Proteomics Lab of the National Dairy Research Institute.

The authors concluded, “We have presented a simple method for the discovery of thousands of endogenous peptides in cow urine that contribute to diverse urine-associated bioactivities… We have provided evidence for peptide-mediated antimicrobial activity ” e coli And S. aureus But more experiments are needed to validate other predicted bioactivities…”

And, according to his office, Professor Kamakoti, who is also an organic farmer, was only “sharing his experiences at the event”.

IIT Madras director’s ‘cow urine’ comment

In the video in question, Mr Kamakoti – standing in front of a cow poster at an event celebrating the harvest festival of Pongal – narrates the story of a ‘sanyasi’ who cured himself by drinking alcohol.cow urine‘, or cow urine, and declares amid scattered applause, “…we have to accept its medicinal importance”.

Propagation of pseudoscience by @IITMadras the director is the most indecent @IMAIndiaOrg https://t.co/ukB0jwBh8G

– Karti P. Chidambaram (@KartiPC) 18 January 2025

“There was a Sanyasi there… He had high fever, and people wanted to call the doctor. But that Sanyasi, whose name I have forgotten, said (in Sanskrit), ‘cow urine pibami‘And immediately went to a cowshed and brought some cow urine. He drank it all and his fever disappeared within 15 minutes.”

“So… (it has) anti-bacterial and anti-fungal (properties)… for digestive and stomach problems, for IBS… for many other ailments, it’cow urine‘It’s a great medicine,’ announced Mr Kamakoti.

According to news agency PTI, the comment – which was confirmed by sources at IIT (Madras) was indeed made – ‘matatu‘, or ‘Cow’, Pongal event in Chennai on 15 January.

Sharp reactions from Congress, DMK

The remarks have been condemned by political leaders, academics and others.

Congress leader Karti Chidambaram, who sent this comment to the Indian Medical Association, has criticized the IIT (Madras) chief for “promoting pseudoscience”. “…extremely indecent,” he said on X.

Tamil Nadu’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has also criticized the IIT Madras boss and demanded his transfer. The Times of India quoted DMK leader TS Elangovan as saying, “He should be transferred (out) and posted to some medical college of the Government of India… What will he do in an IIT? The Government of India should throw him out.” Should… appoint him as director of some AIIMS.”

However, Tamil Nadu chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party, K Annamalai, has come to Mr Kamakoti’s defence, telling reporters, “Everyone has the right to practice their religion…”

Video | Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai (@annamalai_k) says, “It is unfortunate that our Chennai IIT director, who is a very eminent person, who is an expert in AI, quantum computing, chose to follow his religion. He chose to pray to God in his own way. That Is … pic.twitter.com/cdJUrwZk3B

– Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) 19 January 2025

“It is unfortunate that the director of our IIT Chennai, who is a very eminent person… an expert in AI (artificial intelligence) and quantum computing… has stopped practicing his religion and praying to his God in his own way. But this is being politicized. I urge them to stop protesting (and) respect the sanctity of the institution,” Mr Annamalai said. in a video made Said.

with inputs from agencies