New Delhi, June 17 -- A technical "war of words" on social media between IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal and a group of "Gen Z" students has escalated into a major political flashpoint, with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh using the exchange to question the competence of the Prime Minister's scientific advisors.

Taking a dig at the central government, he stated that even distinguished experts are being held accountable by the younger generation for becoming "drum-beaters" of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led administration.

In a post on X, Ramesh said, "The Prime Minister's go-to man on all scientific matters and a very distinguished mathematician otherwise is being held to account by Gen Z youngsters."

"These are the pitfalls of...