IIT-M director’s claim about cow urine’s ‘anti-bacterial, digestive’ properties sparks row

The comment by Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, director V Kamakoti praising the alleged medicinal benefits of cow urine has sparked a row, The Indian Express reported.

The remark was made at an event at a Go Samrakshana Sala, or cow protection shelter, in Chennai on January 15, coinciding with the Tamil festival of Maatu Pongal, where celebrating cattle is a key part of the festivities.

The comment was made during a speech in which Kamakoti narrated a story of an ascetic who recovered from a high fever after drinking gomutra, or cow urine.

“Gomutra was immediately brought, and he consumed it with much ease,” Kamakoti said in Tamil. “The fever seemed to have disappeared in 15 minutes. So, for antibacterial, antifungal, digestive issues, and irritable bowel syndrome – for many such issues – gomutra is a very important medicine.”

A video of the remarks, made in the context of promoting the protection of indigenous cow breeds and the importance of organic farming, was widely shared on social media.

மூளை வலிமை அதிகம் கொண்ட கும்பல் ஆட்சியில் ஐஐடி இயக்குநர் லட்சணத்தை பாருங்கள்.. கோமியம் காய்ச்சல் மருந்தாம்???? pic.twitter.com/3StltuzStU— Subathra Devi (@SubathraDevi_) January 18, 2025

Kamakoti also endorsed the use of biogas and cautioned against converting farmland for other purposes, such as constructing houses or developing commercial ventures such as marriage halls or cinema theatres.

He further alleged that the British...

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