Houston University defends Hinduism course amid Hinduphobia allegations

UH stressed that academic freedom allows faculty to explore complex and sometimes challenging issues to foster critical thinking and understanding.

The University of Houston (UH), on Friday, reaffirmed its commitment to academic freedom following a complaint from Vasant Bhatt, an Indian-American political science student, alleging that a course titled Lived Hindu Religion distorts Hinduism and promotes "Hinduphobia."

Bhatt accused the course instructor, Professor Aaron Michael Ullrey, of misrepresenting Hinduism as a political tool weaponised by Hindu nationalists, and filed a formal complaint with the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Bhatt expressed dissatisfaction with the university's response, accusing the religious studies department of deflecting from the core issue.

In an official statement, UH defended the course, highlighting that it is rooted in the academic discipline of religious studies and employs analytical terms, including "fundamentalism" and "Hindutva," as scholarly tools to study religious movements across faiths, including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. The university noted that such terms are used in a specific academic context and may differ in meaning from their usage in public or political discourse.

The university also clarified that the Dean and Director of Religious Studies had thoroughly reviewed Bhatt's concerns, discussed them with Professor Ullrey, and found the course to meet academic and pedagogical standards.

"The course applies academic frameworks to analyze how Hinduism, like other world religions, has developed in historical, social, and political contexts," UH said, adding that connecting course content to current events — such as the rise of Hindu nationalism in India — is part of understanding the relationship between religion and modern society, and is not a critique of Hinduism itself.

Professor Ullrey, defending the course, stated, “The essence of this course's methodology is to use descriptive anthropology rather than any prescriptive theology. I never declared anything to be the essence of Hinduism, which would contradict the course and my own research over the last 25 years.”

Ullrey further clarified that quotes circulating in the media, where Hinduism was allegedly described as a colonial construct or a system of oppression, were taken out of context. “Any declaration that I say Hinduism is not ancient is false. The course focuses on the religions that worship Hindu gods as ancient and deeply rooted in South Asia,” he said.

He added that Lived Hindu Religion explores Hinduism’s diversity, tracing the evolution of rituals, mythologies, and practices from ancient times to the present. The course emphasizes that Hinduism is not a monolithic entity but comprises multiple traditions, interpretations, and practices.

UH stressed that academic freedom allows faculty to explore complex and sometimes challenging issues to foster critical thinking and understanding. “The course is designed to encourage thoughtful, balanced discussions and to help students understand how religions evolve and interact with political, social, and historical forces,” the university said.

On the specific concern regarding the portrayal of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "Hindu fundamentalist," Ullrey explained that the term was used strictly as an academic category to analyse political movements, not as a personal critique.