In a nation that once championed “scientific temper” as a fundamental duty under Article 51A of its Constitution, the promotion of cow dung and urine as miracle cures for cancer represents a troubling regression. Coined by Jawaharlal Nehru in his 1946 book The Discovery of India, scientific temper embodies a rational, evidence-based approach to knowledge, rejecting superstition and dogma. Yet, under recent governments, India has seen a surge in state-sponsored initiatives exploring “panchgavya”—a mixture of cow milk, curd, ghee, dung, and urine—for medical applications, including cancer treatment. These efforts, often framed in cultural and nationalist terms, have drawn sharp criticism from scientists who label them pseudoscience, diverting resources from proven research and eroding public trust in science. This article dissects the traditional claims, scrutinizes the scientific evidence (or lack thereof), examines government involvement, and critiques the broader implications for India’s scientific landscape.
Table of Contents
Traditional Claims and the Allure of Panchgavya
Ayurveda, India’s ancient system of medicine, has long revered panchgavya as a “rasayana” or rejuvenating elixir capable of balancing bodily humors and treating ailments. Proponents assert that cow urine (gomutra) contains bioactive compounds like urea, uric acid, and allantoin, which act as antioxidants and free radical scavengers, potentially inhibiting cancer cell growth. Cow dung is similarly praised for its antimicrobial properties when used in topical applications or as a bio-fertilizer with indirect health benefits.
Anecdotal reports abound: a 2010 survey in Mandsaur District, Madhya Pradesh, claimed that cancer patients experienced symptom relief after 2-3 months of cow urine therapy. Political figures have amplified these claims; BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Thakur asserted in 2019 that cow urine cured her breast cancer, drawing widespread condemnation from oncologists. Such narratives tap into cultural reverence for cows in Hinduism, positioning panchgavya as a “sanjivani” (life-giving) substance.
Scientific Scrutiny: Limited Evidence Meets Health Risks
While some preliminary research suggests potential bioactivity, the evidence for cow dung and urine as cancer cures is overwhelmingly weak and unsubstantiated. A 2015 review in the Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology highlighted cow urine’s antioxidant properties, which inhibited tumor growth in Swiss albino mice exposed to carcinogens. Another study in the International Journal of Cow Science found that cow urine distillate enhanced the efficacy of anticancer drugs like paclitaxel in vitro against human breast cancer cells. Research on Red Sindhi cow urine reported reduced tumor incidence in mice with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, attributing effects to volatile fatty acids and antioxidants.
However, these studies are largely confined to animal models or cell lines, lacking rigorous human clinical trials. A 2022 in vitro study on panchgavya against human colon adenocarcinoma cells showed concentration-dependent inhibition, but emphasized the need for further validation. Critics, including Wikipedia’s summary, note that while cow products serve as fertilizers, claims of curing diseases like cancer lack scientific backing.
More damning are reports highlighting risks. A 2023 peer-reviewed study by the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) analyzed 73 urine samples from cows, buffaloes, and humans, identifying 14 types of potentially pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli, which can cause severe infections like kidney issues and pneumonia. The study concluded that fresh cow urine is unfit for direct human consumption, though buffalo urine showed stronger antibacterial activity against some strains. Cow dung, too, harbors bacteria like Salmonella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, posing respiratory and infection risks. IVRI’s findings, echoed in publications like The Telegraph, warn that unprocessed cow products could exacerbate ailments in immunocompromised cancer patients.
Government Initiatives: Funding Myths Over Science?
The Indian government has actively solicited institutions to “prove” panchgavya’s benefits. In 2017, a committee was formed to vet proposals validating panchgavya’s curative properties. This culminated in the 2020 SUTRA-PIC program by the Department of Science and Technology and AYUSH Ministry, inviting research on “cowpathy” for anticancer and diabetes drugs, among other themes. Over 500 scientists petitioned against it, calling it “infuriating” and politically motivated.
In Madhya Pradesh, a 2011 project at Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University received Rs 3.5 crore (out of a requested Rs 8 crore) to explore panchgavya for cancer and other diseases. An ongoing probe alleges financial irregularities: Rs 1.92 crore spent on cow dung, urine, and materials allegedly worth Rs 15-20 lakh, plus unnecessary air travel. After a decade, no breakthroughs emerged, raising questions about accountability. Similar efforts, like IIT-Delhi’s 2016 workshop on cow products, have been criticized for blending pseudoscience with academia.
Criticizing the Myth: Erosion of Scientific Temper
The push for cow-based therapies exemplifies a shift from Nehru’s scientific temper to what critics dub “gobar temper”—a pun on cow dung symbolizing irrationality. Scientists argue this promotes pseudoscience, diverting funds from genuine research. During COVID-19, AYUSH endorsed unproven remedies like cow urine parties, leading to illnesses and spreading misinformation. The Indian Medical Association condemned such practices, noting risks of secondary infections.
Recent controversies, like IIT-Madras Director V. Kamakoti’s 2025 claims on cow urine’s benefits, drew accusations of peddling pseudoscience from rationalists and politicians. Over 500 scientists in 2017 decried government interference, warning of creeping pseudoscience in education and funding. This nationalist blend of myth and medicine undermines India’s scientific legacy, fostering blind faith over evidence.
Conclusion: Reclaiming Rationality
India’s journey from scientific temper to gobar temper risks stalling progress. While cultural traditions deserve respect, medical claims demand rigorous proof. Panchgavya’s purported benefits remain unproven myths, overshadowed by proven risks. Governments must prioritize evidence-based research, not ideological pursuits, to honor Nehru’s vision and safeguard public health.
References and Sources
- Chemotherapeutic potential of cow urine: A review – PMC – NIH
- Indian scientists decry ‘infuriating’ scheme to study benefits of cow dung, urine, and milk
- Indian Cow Urine as a Therapeutic Alternative in Treatment of Human Diseases
- Exploring the pharmacological potential of Red Sindhi Cow urine: An in vivo approach
- Cow products to cure cancer: MP govt spent Rs 3.5 cr on research; probe now puts scanner on where money went
- Peptide profiling in cow urine reveals molecular signature of physiology-driven pathways and in-silico predicted bioactive properties
- ANTI-CANCER EFFECT OF PANCHAGAVYA ON HUMAN COLON ADENOCARCINOMA (HCT-116) CELL LINE (web:9)
- Cow urine distillate as bioenhancer – PMC – NIH
- Cow urine – Wikipedia
- Cow urine unfit for humans, says top animal research body IVRI
- The dangers lurking in Ayurveda – why the holistic therapy is doing more harm than good
- Bacterial profile and comparative antimicrobial efficacy of fresh urine of cows, buffaloes and humans
- Cow Urine Unfit for Humans, Contains Harmful Bacteria, Says Veterinary Research Body
- From kidney stones to pneumonia, cow urine can cause diseases; unfit for human consumption, says ICAR-IVRI study
- Cow urine can be a boon for humans: IVRI
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- “Cancer Research” Project In Madhya Pradesh Under Scanner Over Financial Irregularities
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- India’s Disgrace | Science | AAAS
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- Myth & Medicine In Modern India: How Pseudoscience Found Its Place In Governance
- Scientific temper – Wikipedia
- Nehru wanted India to develop a scientific temper. Today’s leaders are doing the opposite
