Archive · 27 Jan 2026
Controversy Over Congress Jibe on Padma Shri Winner
A professor named Veezhinathan Kamakoti received a big award called the Padma Shri for his work in science.
But the Kerala unit of the Congress party made a joke about it, saying he got the award for studying cow urine.
Many people, including a rich businessman named Sridhar Vembu, got upset and defended the professor.
They said his work is important and that the Congress party should not make fun of it.
The professor works on very advanced technology and is the head of a famous university in India.
The Congress party asked why only cow urine is being studied and not other animal waste.
They also said that a lot of money was spent on a project using cow dung and urine to treat cancer, but nothing good came out of it.
Vembu said that the Congress party has a colonial mindset and does not value Indian science.
IIT Madras Director Veezhinathan Kamakoti received the Padma Shri award for his contributions to education and research.
Congress Kerala sarcastically congratulated him, implying his research was on cow urine.
Zoho Founder Sridhar Vembu defended Kamakoti, highlighting his work in deep tech and microbiome research.
Congress Kerala questioned the scientific value and outcomes of research on cow urine, citing a scandal involving misuse of funds.
Vembu criticized Congress Kerala for undervaluing Indian scientific research and having a 'slavish colonial mindset'.
- Who
- Veezhinathan Kamakoti, Sridhar Vembu, Congress Kerala
- What
- Controversy over a sarcastic comment by Congress Kerala on Kamakoti's Padma Shri award and the scientific value of his research
- When
- After the announcement of the Padma Shri award
- Where
- India, primarily Kerala and New Delhi
- Why
- Congress Kerala's sarcastic comment about Kamakoti's research on cow urine and the subsequent defense by Vembu
Congress Kerala
Sridhar Vembu
Research on Cow Urine
Congress Kerala
Congress Kerala questioned the scientific value of research on cow urine and its practical outcomes, citing a scandal involving misuse of funds for a cancer research project using cow dung and urine.
Sridhar Vembu
Sridhar Vembu defended the scientific potential of cow dung and urine, arguing that their microbiome could be valuable for humans and that such research is worthy of investigation.
Scientific Credibility
Congress Kerala
Congress Kerala implied that research on cow urine lacks credibility and is not a serious scientific endeavor, comparing it to fraudulent COVID-19 treatments.
Sridhar Vembu
Vembu criticized Congress Kerala for having a 'slavish colonial mindset' that undervalues Indian scientific research and suggested that such research would be more accepted if conducted by Western institutions like Harvard or MIT.
Investment in Research
Congress Kerala
Congress Kerala dared Vembu to invest in cow urine research, challenging him to put his beliefs into action.
Sridhar Vembu
Vembu did not directly respond to the challenge but emphasized the importance of defending Indian scientific research on its own merits.
- Award
- Padma Shri
- Recipient
- Veezhinathan Kamakoti
- Field of Service
- Science and Engineering
- Controversial Comment
- Research on 'gomutra' (cow urine)
- Defender
- Sridhar Vembu (Zoho Founder)
- Institution
- IIT Madras
- Scientific Focus
- Micro-processor design and microbiome research
Sources
Padma Shri For Gomutra Research?: Congress' Jibe At Kamakoti Draws Outrage, Zoho Founder Sridhar Vembu Says 'Enslaved Minds'
Cow Urine row: Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu defends IIT Madras Director Kamakoti
A 'Cow Urine Research' Dare To Zoho Founder After IIT Head Gets Padma Shri
'Why Only Cow Urine?': IIT Madras Director's Padma Shri Sparks Clash Over 'Gomutra' Research
