Chennai: Citing research papers published including in Nature, IIT Madras director V Kamakoti on Monday reiterated that Gomutra (cow urine) contains anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. A video of IIT-M director V Kamakoti extolling the medicinal benefits of ‘gomutra’ has gone viral and drawn criticism that he is peddling “pseudo-science”. Political parties, including TNCC, CPM, CPI, MNM, and others, slammed Kamakoti for his comments.
“I spoke on the topic of science and cow where I mentioned gobar gas (produced from cow dung), natural farming, and cow urine. We have scientific evidence for the properties I mentioned at the function,” Kamakoti said. Later, IIT Madras shared the research papers which said cow urine has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities.
“There are five research papers on the properties of cow urine published in famous science journals like Nature. The research papers and a patent obtained in the US mention the anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties in the cow urine, and it was proved scientifically,” Kamakoti said. When pointed out that some researchers are sharing research papers about the ill effects of cow urine, he said he is yet to see those papers.
“There is a huge interest, and I am seeing it in a positive way. The Indian school of medicine can do more research on cow urine. IIT Madras also may conduct the research if there is any researcher interested in this topic,” Kamakoti said. He said he takes panchgavya, which is a mixture of five cow-derived ingredients: milk, urine, ghee, dung, and curd, during rituals.
At an event at a cow shelter on Maatu Pongal (Jan 15), a Tamil festival celebrating cattle, Kamakoti said ‘Gomutra’ could be a remedy for conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. In the video, Kamakoti narrated an anecdote about a sanyasi who, he said, recovered from high fever 15 minutes after consuming ‘gomutra’.
TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai, while condemning Kamakoti for his comments, said the future of students will be at stake if a person like him continues to occupy the director post. In a statement, he said the Indian veterinary research institute declared that cow urine was not fit for human consumption and warned that consuming it will lead to health hazards. It is surprising that people of Kamakoti’s stature were not aware of such warning, he said.
CPM demanded the immediate removal of Kamakoti from the director post and for him to be stripped of his academic degrees. CPI said Kamakoti, despite heading an esteemed institute, made an irresponsible comment. MNM students wing’s state secretary Rajesh Rajasekaran said a person holding the post of director at a higher education institution was spreading superstition.
