Indian-American student and activist Vasant Bhatt has alleged that the University of Houston’s course on Hinduism – Lived Hindu Religion – is “hinduphobic” and “distorts India’s political landscape”. His allegations have sparked a row on the Internet, with one terming it as an example of “deep-seated Hinduphobia in liberal arts academia”. Another X (formerly Twitter) user criticised the course, saying that it “distorts our ancient wisdom into a politically driven caricature”. “Hinduism has faced misrepresentation for centuries, and now the University of Houston’s course continues this attack,” a third social media user said, calling it “Hinduphobia in action”.
Bhatt had filed a complaint before the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences under which this course is being offered. The university is now reviewing the concerns he raised.
Course says Hinduism is a ‘colonial construct’
University of Houston’s course, taught by Professor Aaron Michael Ullrey online, has weekly video lectures. According to Bhatt, the professor claims that Hinduism is a “colonial construct” rather than an “ancient, lived tradition”.
“Hinduism, according to Professor Ullrey, was not an ancient, lived tradition but a colonial construct, a political tool weaponised by Hindu nationalists, and a system of oppression against minorities,” India Today Digital quoted Bhatt as saying.
Bhatt also shared an excerpt from the course that claims that the term “Hindu” is new and not found in scriptures. “The word ‘Hindu’ is recent, not found in scriptures. Hindutva, or ‘Hindu-ness’, is a term that Hindu nationalists, those who believe Hinduism should be the official religion of India, use to designate their religion and denigrate others, namely Islam.”
‘Indian PM is Hindu fundamentalist’
Not just that, the professor also tagged India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, as a “Hindu fundamentalist” and suggested that India is a Hindu nationalist state actively oppressing minorities.
“Labeling PM Modi as a ‘Hindu fundamentalist’ and reducing our vibrant, complex tradition into a simplistic tool for political agendas is not only intellectually bankrupt, it’s a blatant act of Hinduphobia,” one social media user expressed.
Hindu On Campus, a student-led X handle created in February 2021 to fight Hinduphobia, said: “None of these claims are backed by evidence or data. Political disagreements are welcomed, but fabricating extremism under the basis of Hindu identity is not.” It also called the course’s contents on PM Modi a “racialised” and “religiously discriminatory attack”.
None of these claims are backed by evidence or data. Political disagreements are welcomed but fabricating extremism under the basis of Hindu identity is not. pic.twitter.com/JmnCW5AzfF
— Hindu On Campus (@hinduoncampus) March 19, 2025
University’s response to ‘Hinduphobia’ claims
In response to the controversy, the university said that it is reviewing the course’s content for validity.
“The University of Houston upholds academic freedom and does not typically oversee specific faculty lectures. We do maintain curriculum oversight to ensure courses meet academic and pedagogical standards,” India Today Digital quoted Shawn Lindsey, Senior Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications, University Marketing and Communications, University of Houston, as saying.
Lindsey added, “We also take concerns about the validity of course content seriously. We are reviewing the concerns raised and will address the issue as needed.”