Vasant Bhatt, an Indian-American student at the University of Houston, enrolled in a course called ‘Lived Hindu Religion’ but found it to be Hinduphobic and misleading about India’s politics. The course is offered online, with video lectures delivered by Professor Aaron Michael Ullrey every week. Bhatt felt the course misrepresented facts about Hinduism.
For example, the course claimed that the word ‘Hindu’ is a modern idea and didn’t have a historical basis. Bhatt, a political science student, raised the issue with the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, where the course is offered.
Bhatt also said that Professor Ullrey called Hinduism not an “ancient religion,” but a “political tool” used by Hindu nationalists to oppress minorities.
After the controversy, the University of Houston defended the course, saying it was part of academic freedom. The syllabus included a statement about “Hindutva,” which is a term used by Hindu nationalists, describing it as a way to promote Hinduism and attack other religions, like Islam. Professor Ullrey denied saying anything that Bhatt claimed and explained that his words were taken out of context.
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