A video of V. Kamakoti, director of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, is rapidly going viral on social media. In this video, he can be seen praising the 'medicinal properties' of cow urine. V. Kamakoti was speaking on the importance of protecting the native breed of cows and adopting organic farming. 

Kamakoti said this at an event organised at the 'Go Sanrakshana Shala' here on Mattu Pongal (January 15, 2025). He made this remark while narrating an anecdote from the life of a sanyasi who consumed cow urine when he had a high fever and was cured. The director reportedly talked about the "anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and digestive improving properties" of cow urine and said that it is useful for problems like 'irritable bowel syndrome', a disease related to the large intestine, and advocated considering its "medicinal properties". 

Opponents said this was against the truth and "shameful"

He made this remark while underlining the importance of organic farming and the important role of indigenous breeds of cattle in agriculture and the overall economy. On the other hand, the rationalist organization Dravidar Kazhagam criticized his remarks on cow urine, saying that it is against the truth and "shameful". DMK leader TKS Elangovan targeted Kamakoti over his remarks and alleged that the central government's intention is to "ruin" education in the country. Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam leader K. Ramakrishnan said that Kamakoti should provide evidence for his claim or apologize. He said, "If he does not apologize, we will protest against him." 

Karti Chidambaram also raised questions

Congress leader Karti P. Chidambaram condemned Kamakoti's remarks and said, "It is inappropriate for the IIT Madras director to propagate such a thing." The IIT director stressed on 'go samrakshana' to protect cows, saying it has economic, nutritional and environmental benefits. Kamakoti said, "If we use fertilizers, we may forget Bhumi Mata (earth). The sooner we adopt organic, natural farming, the better it is for us." 

Kamakoti is the director of IIT Madras from 17 January 2022 

The top professor of IIT-Madras alleged that the British rule was in favor of eliminating the native cows, the basic thing of the economy, to enslave India. Sources close to Kamakoti said that he made his point in the Gaushala program, but he himself is an 'organic farmer' and his comments were in a broader context. Professor Kamakoti took charge as the Director of IIT-Madras on 17 January 2022. He has been awarded other awards including the DRDO Academy Excellence Award (2013) for outstanding contribution in the field of scientific research and technology development.