Bhatt, a political science major, lodged a formal complaint with the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, under which the course is offered. He asserts that Professor Aaron Michael Ullrey, who delivers the course through weekly online lectures, portrays Hinduism not as an ancient, lived tradition but as a colonial construct utilized as a political tool by Hindu nationalists and as a system of oppression against minorities. Bhatt contends that such characterizations distort the essence of Hinduism and contribute to a broader pattern of misinformation within academic settings.
In support of his claims, Bhatt points to specific content within the course materials. One excerpt from the syllabus states, "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." Additionally, Bhatt highlights that in a lecture on political Hinduism, Professor Ullrey refers to India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "Hindu fundamentalist," implying that India operates as a Hindu nationalist state actively oppressing minorities.
The University of Houston has acknowledged the concerns raised. Shawn Lindsey, Senior Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications, stated, "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. We also take concerns about the validity of course content seriously. We are reviewing the concerns raised and will address the issue as needed."
This incident has sparked broader discussions about the representation of Hinduism in academic institutions. Critics argue that such portrayals contribute to a climate of Hinduphobia and misinform students about the religion's rich history and diversity. Supporters of academic freedom, however, emphasize the importance of exploring and debating various perspectives within educational settings, provided they are presented responsibly and backed by scholarly research.