Over 14,000 people claiming to be from the academic and scientific community have signed a petition seeking Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s intervention over Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's reference to IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti as a "gau mutra (urine) expert" during Parliament proceedings.
The petition, launched on Change.org on August 1, seeks withdrawal of the "derogatory expression" and expresses regret for the remark's "personal and derogatory nature".
A press note issued by the petitioners, calling themselves the ‘Academic and Scientific Community’, claimed that it has received support from people across India's disciplines, institutions and states, as well as overseas Indian scientists in over 38 countries. However, there was no mention of the petitioners' designations who signed it.
The petition addressed to Birla strongly objects to the use of the expression "gau mutra expert" in reference to Kamakoti during parliamentary proceedings, arguing that such a personal and disparaging expression is neither legitimate political criticism nor reasoned debate, and that it undermines the dignity of an eminent scientist, educator and the institution he leads.
The petition was initiated following Vadra’s remarks on Kamakoti during Lok Sabha proceedings discussing examination reforms, during which she questioned the composition of the government's examination reform panel meant to overhaul the National Testing Agency.
Kamakoti is part of the high-powered task force on exam reforms headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani
The petition said Kamakoti has made distinguished contributions to computer architecture, cybersecurity, indigenous processor development through the SHAKTI project, digital technologies and national educational initiatives.
The petition said it is "non-partisan in character" and does not seek to curtail democratic debate or criticism of public policy.
"We firmly believe that Parliament must remain the highest forum for rigorous discussion and accountability," it said, adding that disagreements concerning appointments, policies or institutional decisions should be expressed through "reasoned argument rather than personal ridicule or derogatory characterisation".
The petitioners have urged the Lok Sabha speaker to take cognisance of the widespread concern expressed by the academic community over the remark.
They have also urged Vadra to "withdraw the expression and express regret for the personal nature of the comment", and reaffirm commitment to respectful democratic discourse.
The petition said the support received "transcends political affiliations" and reflects a shared commitment to "civility, scholarship, and respect for knowledge".
The petitioners also urged the speaker to take appropriate steps to reaffirm the importance of maintaining the highest standards of parliamentary language while referring to scholars, scientists and leaders of academic institutions.
(With inputs from PTI)