Vice-Chancellors, academics seek apology from Priyanka Gandhi over remarks on IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti

Surat (Gujarat) [India], July 31 (ANI): Vice-Chancellors, former Vice-Chancellors and senior academicians from universities across the country have expressed strong displeasure over Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's remarks concerning IIT Madras Director Professor V Kamakoti, with several university heads calling for an apology and urging that such comments not be repeated.
The reactions came after an open letter signed by Vice-Chancellors, former Vice-Chancellors and academicians accused Priyanka Gandhi of undermining the dignity of the academic community by allegedly referring to Professor Kamakoti as a "gaumutra expert" during a discussion in the Lok Sabha.
Speaking on the open letter issued to Priyanka Gandhi, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University Vice-Chancellor Dr Kishorsinh Chavda said the remarks had upset the academic community and stressed the need to uphold the dignity of researchers and teachers.
"The Vice-Chancellors were upset by the remarks Priyanka Gandhi made concerning the research of our Director and Scientist, V Kamakoti... Our entire teaching community is a national asset. Their dignity and honour must be upheld, and it is through such research that the nation progresses in various fields. That is why all the Vice-Chancellors expressed their displeasure and issued a public response. The demand is simply that she apologise for the remarks made and ensure that such words are not used again in the future," Chavda told ANI.
South Asian University President KK Agarwal said Kamakoti's expertise and experience in conducting examinations should be recognised, adding that remarks against an eminent academician in Parliament were inappropriate.
Speaking to ANI, he said, "The debate was on examination reforms... He is a very eminent academician... IITs have an experience of conducting an equally important exam, JEE, for several years, without any question mark. So a director of an IIT appointed as a member of the task force should be appreciated because his inputs will be very useful for this unfortunate happening... To ridicule a person of the level of Kamakoti on the floor of the parliament is certainly not acceptable to an academician like me."
Shahdol University Vice-Chancellor Shambhu Nath Dubey also criticised the remarks, saying they appeared mocking and were inappropriate given Kamakoti's academic and research credentials.
"The statement passed by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra referring to the Director of IIT Madras seemed like superficial and mocking... This statement is derogatory and inappropriate, especially given Professor Kamakoti's esteemed academic and research background... This is not only disrespectful but also harmful to the tradition of reverence for academic and intellectual excellence in India's democracy," said Dubey.
IIT Gandhinagar Director Dr Rajat Moona said Kamakoti is a renowned computer science professor who has made significant contributions to research in several fields.
He said, "Professor Kamakoti is a renowned computer science professor... The remarks made against might be either a misunderstanding or an inappropriate joke... The Professor has contributed significantly to various research fields including defense and electronics... His achievements should be respected and such inappropriate remarks should not be passed."
Bikaner Technical University Vice-Chancellor Professor Akhil Ranjan Garg said parliamentary discussions should be based on facts and logic while highlighting Kamakoti's contributions to science and technology.
"Such language against Prof Kamakoti is equal to hurting the sentiments of the Parliament... Any discussion in the House should be based on facts and logic... Professor Kamakoti is known as the father of industrial-grade microprocessors and has written over 150 papers... Many Vice-Chancellors have signed a petition and demanded that discussions in the Parliament take place only on facts," Garg told ANI.
Vice-Chancellor of Cluster University, Jammu, Professor KS Chandrasekar said he was among those who signed the open letter and stressed Kamakoti's academic credentials and contributions to science and technology.
He said, "I was one of the signatories for that open letter. Nobody can doubt Professor Kamakoti's academic calibre and the ability to work along with students... He is a person who has been awarded the Padma Shri, contributed to our own microprocesses and advancement of science and technology... A person of such calibre should be given all accolades and rewarded... He is definitely the best fit for the system... Politicians need to assess what they are trying to say before committing to anything."
Meanwhile, several Vice-Chancellors, former Vice-Chancellors and academicians from leading universities have written an open letter to Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressing "deep disappointment" over her alleged description of Professor V Kamakoti as a "gaumutra expert", stating that such a characterisation undermines scholarly discourse and the spirit of scientific inquiry.
Professor Kamakoti is a member of a high-powered task force constituted by the Centre to recommend examination reforms. Referring to the committee during a discussion in the Lok Sabha, Priyanka Gandhi said, "This committee includes an ex-IB chief, an IT company owner and a gaumutra expert."
In the open letter, the signatories said that irrespective of whether the remark was intended as sarcasm or political rhetoric, it went beyond criticism of an individual and reflected poorly on the country's academic ecosystem. (ANI)