The Hinduism course at the University of Houston caused a massive stir as an indication-American student, and the activist accused him of promoting “hinduphobic” views and “distortion of the Indian political landscape”. In response to this, the university said “reviewing concerns raised”.
The controversy is above the online course of the University of Houston, a living Hindu religion taught through the weekly video lectures of lectures by professor Aaron Michael Ullrey. Vasant Bhatt, a Hindu American activist and political science at the university were complained against the course.
Why is the course content controversial?
- Bhat said India today, Professor Ullrey distorted the concept of Hinduism and said, “It wasn’t an ancient, living tradition but a colonial construct”
- The professor also restores Hinduism as a political instrument armed with Hindu nationalists and a system of oppression against minorities.
- The content of the course states: “The word” Hindu “is recent, not found in the fonts. Hindutva or “Hindu” is a term that Hindu nationalists, those who believe that Hinduism should be an official religion of India, which should refer to their religion and condemn others, namely Islam “.
- In his recorded lecture on “political Hinduism”, Professor Ullrea describes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “Hindu fundamentalist”.
- Sharing Bhatt said, “Political disagreements are welcome, but inventing extremism under the basis of Hindu identity is not.”
Bhatt said he wrote to the Dean who complained about the course material, but “the separation tried to avert it from the main problem by challenging my process and discrediting my valid concerns – rather than investigating the essence of the complaint”.
Bhatt says that the class of experienced Hindu religion reflects a wider problem at universities, spreads misinformation and supports hinduphobia in the US.
What did the university say?
Shawn Lindsey, Head of Vice President for Strategic Communication, University Marketing and Communication, University of Houston, said concerns were reviewed, as India today says.
“The University of Houston adheres to academic freedom and usually does not look at specific lectures of the faculty. We maintain supervision of teaching plans to ensure that courses meet academic and pedagogical standards,” Lindsey said.
“We are also worried about the validity of the course content seriously. We are checking the fears and we will deal with this problem as needed,” Lindsey added.
(Tagstotranslate) University of Houston
