Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 31: Senior academics on Friday criticised Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over her reported "gaumutra expert" remark directed at IIT Madras director V. Kamakoti, describing it as disrespectful to a distinguished scientist and detrimental to academic discourse.
The criticism comes a day after a group of academics and education leaders issued an open letter to Priyanka Gandhi, expressing concern over her remarks and urging greater respect for scientific discourse and academic freedom in public life.
Speaking to reporters, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Mumbai Director Manoj K. Tiwari said Kamakoti had made significant contributions to computer science and should not be subjected to personal ridicule.
"He has made a massive contribution in the domain of computer science. Therefore, it is not expected to attribute him in a mocking manner that he is a 'gaumutra expert' or something like that. We feel it is an insult to a person who has devoted his entire life to academics and high-quality research," Tiwari said.
Nalanda University Vice-Chancellor Sachin Chaturvedi said the open letter was necessary as Kamakoti is one of the country's leading scientists.
"He has devoted his entire life to high-quality research and promoting scientific thinking in society. Parliament is our highest democratic institution. If scientists are ridiculed instead of being engaged through discussion and meaningful debate, it would create a very unfortunate situation for the country," he said.
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Vice-Chancellor K.S. Thakur also criticised the remark, saying it was inappropriate to make such comments about eminent academicians and scientists whose work is based on extensive research.
Gorakhpur University Vice-Chancellor Poonam Tandon said science should not be mixed with politics, as such remarks could undermine the morale of researchers.
"V. Kamakoti is a globally recognised scientist. It is not appropriate for a non-scientific person to comment on his research. Comments by those who do not understand the various aspects of research are unfortunate," she said.
Former Maharaja Chhatrasal Bundelkhand University Vice-Chancellor Shubha Tiwari said differences of opinion with Kamakoti were acceptable, but ridiculing or insulting a scholar in such a manner was inappropriate.