Gurukul Kangri University Vice Chancellor Pratibha Mehta Luthra on Friday slammed Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over her recent "gaumutra expert" remark directed at IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti. She said politicians should respect members of the academic community and avoid drawing educators into political controversies.
Professor Luthra said politicians reach their positions after being educated by teachers and mentors. She added that making disparaging remarks about respected academicians in Parliament sends a negative message both nationally and internationally.
Luthra said V. Kamakoti is a distinguished academic and an expert in Computer Science. She said that if he made a statement on any subject, it should be viewed in its proper context and understood as being made in the larger interest of the country.
The controversy began after Priyanka Gandhi, while speaking in the Lok Sabha on a high-powered task force set up by the Centre for examination reforms, referred to its members by saying: "This committee includes an ex-IB chief, an IT company owner and a gaumutra expert."
Referring to Professor Kamakoti, who has authored more than 200 research papers, Luthra said teachers and academicians perform their duties without political bias and should not be viewed through partisan lenses.
She said parliamentarians should exercise caution while referring to educators. According to her, teachers treat all students equally and do not categorise them on ideological or political grounds. Their responsibility is to educate, not to participate in political disputes.
Luthra also said that while debates and disagreements are a normal part of parliamentary proceedings, educators should not become targets during such exchanges.
She said there was no direct connection between the issue and Parliament and that comments about teachers should be made responsibly. According to her, such remarks can create a misleading impression about India because parliamentary proceedings are closely watched across the world.
Luthra, who is also associated with pharmaceutical research, defended the scientific examination of traditional substances and said studying natural materials is a routine part of scientific and medical research.
She said scientists often work with a wide range of materials, including natural substances, while developing medicines and conducting research. According to her, researchers work for the welfare of society, regardless of the materials they study or use in their work.
Luthra's remarks come amid wider criticism from sections of the academic community. Recently, more than 250 Vice-Chancellors, former Vice-Chancellors and senior academics reportedly signed a joint letter seeking an apology from the Congress leader over the remarks.
Explaining the purpose of the letter, Luthra said the issue was not about any individual or political agenda. She said the signatories simply felt that such comments should be avoided and that the letter reflected that concern.
Follow us
