A heated exchange broke out in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday after Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra referred to IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti as a “gau mutra (cow urine) expert” while questioning his inclusion in the Centre’s committee to reform the National Testing Agency (NTA). The remark triggered a sharp response from BJP MP Anurag Thakur, who accused her of insulting a renowned scientist.
The clash took place during the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, amid ongoing discussions over the NEET paper leak controversy and student protests across the country.
Priyanka Gandhi questions NTA reform committee
Without naming Kamakoti directly, Priyanka Gandhi criticised the composition of the six-member panel headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, which was formed to recommend reforms to the NTA.
“The present committee has an ex-Intelligence Bureau chief, an IT company owner and a ‘gau mutra expert’. What do they know about education?” she asked in the Lok Sabha.
She argued that merely forming another committee would not solve the problems in the examination system and said the government had failed to implement recommendations made by the earlier K. Radhakrishnan Committee after the 2024 NEET controversy.
BJP hits back over remark
Priyanka Gandhi’s comments led to protests from the Treasury benches. BJP MP Anurag Thakur accused the Congress leader of insulting one of India’s leading scientists and responded with a personal attack.
According to reports, Thakur said Priyanka Gandhi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should “consume cow urine”, escalating the verbal confrontation in the House.
Kamakoti’s earlier remarks on cow urine
The controversy surrounding IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti dates back to January 2025, when he spoke at a Maatu Pongal event in Chennai.During his speech, Kamakoti highlighted indigenous cattle breeds and said cow urine had antibacterial, antifungal and digestive properties. He also narrated an anecdote about an ascetic whose fever allegedly subsided after consuming cow urine.
The remarks drew criticism from sections of the scientific community. Kamakoti later clarified that he had referred to published studies while discussing the subject.
Priyanka raises police action against students
During her speech, Priyanka Gandhi also criticised the police action against students protesting over the NEET paper leak, including the reported use of pellet guns.
“What was the need to use tear gas, lathi charge and water cannons on those students? What was the need to humiliate those young girls, tear their clothes and have them beaten mercilessly? Answer us,” she said.
She questioned who had authorised the police action and asked whether the orders came from the Prime Minister or the Union Home Minister.
Questions over Education Minister appointment
Priyanka Gandhi also targeted the appointment of Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi. Referring to his past remarks defending the remission granted to the Bilkis Bano convicts, she said the government had sent the wrong message.
She alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appointed “a person who condoned the rapists of a pregnant woman” as Education Minister and questioned what message this conveyed to women across the country.
‘Change the angle of your heart’
Concluding her speech, Priyanka Gandhi said the government could not win over India’s youth through public relations campaigns.”If you want to win the trust of Gen Z, making videos on your phone at different angles won’t work. The Prime Minister will have to change the angle of his heart, not the camera angle,” she said.
She added that the younger generation was capable of identifying false narratives and urged the government to accept responsibility for the problems in the country’s examination system instead of trying to change the narrative.
