After an Indian-American claimed that a University of Houston course on Hinduism propagated “Hinduphobia” and misrepresented Hinduism, the university defended the course’s integrity and emphasized its academic approach to researching the religion. In a formal complaint to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, university political science major Vasant Bhatt said that the “Lived Hindu Religion” course misrepresented Hinduism as a political instrument used by Hindu nationalists.

The University of Houston reacts

The University of Houston responded to a student’s accusation by stating that concepts like “fundamentalism” and “Hindutva” were used analytically rather than to disparage the faith. However, Bhatt, a university student majoring in political science, was unhappy with the answer and said that the religious studies department was sidestepping the main problem. According to the institution, the course, which is taught by Professor Aaron Michael Ullrey, looks at the many ways that Hinduism is practiced and interpreted while also exploring its historical, social, and political facets. Concerns over Professor Ullrey’s depiction of Hinduism have been voiced by Bhatt.

Shawn Lindsey, Senior Associate Vice President/Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications at the University of Houston, defended the course’s integrity and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic freedom in a statement to news agency PTI. He emphasized the course’s scholarly approach to studying religion.

Not to disparage the faith: University

The institution said that the Director of Religious Studies and the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences carefully examined the concerns brought up by Bhatt and spoke with Professor Ullrey about them. According to the institution, the course is an academic investigation of Hinduism that analyzes its political and historical history utilizing scholarly frameworks. It claimed that concepts like “fundamentalism” and “Hindutva” are used analytically rather than to disparage the faith.

According to the University of Houston, the course aims to engage students with the intricacies of religious studies and promote critical thinking. “The purpose of the course is to help students understand how religions, including Hinduism, evolve and interact with political, social, and historical forces,” it said. “Academic freedom allows faculty to explore complex issues and we remain committed to offering courses that encourage thoughtful, balanced discussions,” the institution said.

Additionally, Professor Ullrey addresses accusations

Professor Ullrey also vehemently defended the course material, stating that it aims to portray Hinduism as a complex and dynamic system of beliefs and practices rather than as a single, unchanging religion.

“I never declared anything to be the essence of Hinduism,” Ullrey said. “The course focuses on Hinduism’s historical, social, and political contexts, highlighting its diversity and evolution.” He went on to say that the media-circulating video clip that purportedly distorted his remarks was taken out of context.

The lecturer went on to say that political Hinduism is not portrayed as the main or most distinctive aspect of the tradition, but rather as one of many viewpoints. Professor Ullrey addressed Bhatt’s worries on his portrayal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, explaining that calling Modi a “Hindu fundamentalist” was a scholarly phrase meant to characterize a political movement rather than a personal jab.