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Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu has backed IIT Madras director V Kamakoti over gaumutra row.
While some are criticising IIT Madras director V Kamakoti (left) for his gaumutra comment, others, including Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu (right), are backing him.
IIT Madras director V Kamakoti courted controversy after claiming that a sanyasi once chose to drink gaumutra instead of seeing a doctor to cure a fever and that the fever appeared to have disappeared within 15 minutes. He further described gaumutra as an “important medicine”, claiming it has “anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties” and might even help cure conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The statement quickly triggered backlash, with many critics arguing that such claims should be supported by scientific evidence. Amid the outcry, Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu stepped in to defend Kamakoti, highlighting that “modern science is increasingly recognising” the potential value of gaumutra or cow urine.
“IIT Madras Director Prof Kamakoti is an accomplished researcher and educator. He gave citations to scientific papers on the beneficial properties of cow urine. Modern science is increasingly recognising the value of our traditional insights. Online mobs are simply channelling their own prejudices, not based on any scientific insight,” Vembu wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Read| IIT Madras Director’s ‘Gaumutra’ Remark Sparks Row: ‘Fever Appeared To Have Vanished In 15 Minutes’
He added, “Stay strong Prof Kamakoti. Don’t give into the attack mobs.”
IIT Madras Director Prof Kamakoti is an accomplished researcher and educator. He gave citations of scientific papers on the beneficial properties of cow urine. Modern science is increasingly recognising the value of our traditional insights. Online mobs are simply channeling…
— Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) January 21, 2025
In a separate post, Vembu expressed, “The people who are mocking cow urine don’t know how fecal transplants and faecal pills (yes!) from very healthy individuals (preferably from pre-industrial societies, not exposed to modern diets) are seeing growing scientific interest due to their role in restoring beneficial gut bacteria. And gut bacteria are the most vital component of our immune system and they play a vital role in our physical and mental health.”
“So ‘cow urine and cow dung have beneficial properties’ is not some superstitious quackery. Modern science is converging there. It is the closed-minded fanatic who takes part in online mobs,” he went on to say.
Gaumutra row: What did the director say?
IIT Madras director was speaking at the Go Samrakshana Sala event on Maatu Pongal when he made the controversial remark.
“A prominent sanyasi developed a fever, and the idea of calling a doctor was suggested to him… I have forgotten the name of that sanyasi. He immediately said he would drink gaumutra. Gaumutra was promptly brought, and he consumed it with ease. The fever appeared to vanish within 15 minutes,” he said.
He added, “For antibacterial, antifungal, digestive issues, and irritable bowel syndrome—among many other conditions—gaumutra is a very important medicine.”
