New Delhi, July 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Several senior academics on Friday criticised Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over her reported “gaumutra expert” remark directed at IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti, describing it as inappropriate and an insult to a distinguished scientist.
The reactions came a day after a group of academics and education leaders issued an open letter to Priyanka Gandhi, expressing concern over her alleged remarks and urging greater respect for scientific discourse and academic freedom in public life.
Speaking on the issue, IIM Mumbai Director Manoj K. Tiwari said Kamakoti had made significant contributions to the field of computer science and should not be subjected to personal ridicule.
He said describing the IIT Madras Director in a mocking manner was unwarranted and amounted to an insult to a scientist who had devoted his life to academic research.
Nalanda University Vice-Chancellor Sachin Chaturvedi said Kamakoti was among the country’s leading scientists and had dedicated his career to advancing research and scientific thinking. He said Parliament was the country’s highest democratic institution and warned that ridiculing scientists instead of engaging with them through meaningful debate would set an unfortunate precedent.
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Vice-Chancellor K.S. Thakur also criticised the reported remark, saying eminent academicians and scientists should not be ridiculed as their work is based on extensive research.
Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University Vice-Chancellor Poonam Tandon said science should not be linked with politics, adding that such comments could adversely affect the morale of researchers. She described Kamakoti as a globally recognised scientist and said people unfamiliar with scientific research should refrain from commenting on it.
Former Maharaja Chhatrasal Bundelkhand University Vice-Chancellor Shubha Tiwari said differences of opinion with Kamakoti were acceptable, but mocking or insulting a scholar in such a manner was inappropriate.
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