Zoho CEO backs IIT Madras professor on cow urine benefits; faces backlash India News | WN24

In an unexpected turn of events, Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu found himself in the eye of a storm after backing IIT Madras professor, Prof. V Kamakoti, who recently advocated for the medicinal properties of cow urine.

Vembu took to the social media platform X to defend Kamakoti, saying that those mocking the use of cow urine failed to understand the evolving nature of scientific thought. He drew parallels with the growing interest in fecal transplants and fecal pills, particularly those derived from healthy individuals in pre-industrial societies, as a way to restore gut bacteria.

“IIT Madras Director Prof. Kamakoti is an accomplished researcher and educator. He cited scientific papers supporting the beneficial properties of cow urine. Modern science is increasingly acknowledging the value of our traditional knowledge,” Vembu wrote. “The online mobs are simply projecting their own biases, without any basis in scientific fact. Stay strong, Prof. Kamakoti. Don’t give into the attack mobs.

Vembu’s support comes amid a controversy sparked by Prof Kamakoti’s remarks in a viral videohighlighting differing perspectives on traditional practices and scientific validation.

Vembu’s stance was met with harsh criticism on social media, particularly from Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, better known as The Liver Doc. Philips called Vembu an “illiterate boomer uncle” in a post on X, saying, “Your so-called Indian traditional medicine, Siddha, also promotes fecal transplants. How long will you continue to misinform your followers, spreading nonsense and making a fool of yourself? As someone with influence, you should focus on spreading scientific knowledge that can help us progress, rather than amplifying misinformation from people like Prof. Kamakoti.”

Responding sharply, Vembu labeled Philips as “left liberal.” In a follow-up post, he criticized the “left liberal crowd” for dismissing India’s traditional knowledge systems, replacing critical thought with slogans like “trust the science.”

“That slogan became the ultimate dogma in the West. The Covid disaster and now the preemptive pardon for Fauci are making a mockery of that dogmatic attitude, essentially vindicating RFK Jr who fought bravely when it was such a hard fight. RFK Jr himself was politically a left liberal until he concluded that left liberals had become too dogmatic. What we now need is a good dose of humility in the medical scientific establishment. Science does not mix with arrogance well. Science does not grant us absolute certainties,” the post said.

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