Priyanka's 'gaumutra expert' remark stirs row, over 200 academicians slam LS MP

Over 200 academicians wrote an open letter to Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra objecting to her 'gaumutra expert' remark in the Lok Sabha debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.

The remark was widely seen as referring to IIT Madras director V Kamakoti, who was appointed to a panel reviewing the National Testing Agency's functioning after the NEET paper leak controversy.

The academicians urged that public representatives engage in reasoned debate rather than ridicule, stating that reducing a scholar to a label weakens scientific discourse.

They highlighted V Kamakoti's credentials: MS and PhD from IIT Madras, over 150 research papers, and a key role in developing India's first industry-grade microprocessor.

The letter warned that such labels send the wrong message to India's research community, who deserve to participate in public debate without fear of dismissal.