Harvard University has issued a public apology after its Department of South Asian Studies published an image to promote a Sanskrit course that drew sharp criticism online for being perceived as offensive to Hindu culture and beliefs. The statement, posted on the university’s website, said the department “deeply regrets” the use of what it described as an “insensitive” image and is reviewing its internal processes to ensure future communications better reflect its mission and values. The artwork was linked to the department’s Elementary Sanskrit course and was swiftly condemned by the Coalition of Hindus of North America, which accused the university of “blatant Hinduphobia” and bigotry for its representation. In posts on X, the coalition described the visual as resembling a scene “straight out of a horror movie”, featuring a dark figure adorned with a tilak holding what was characterised as a ghostly figurine. ][2])
Harvard’s apology underscores the institution’s recognition of the controversy and its commitment to respectful representation. The department said it maintains a long history of teaching Sanskrit and remains committed to the language and its associated intellectual and cultural traditions. It also clarified that the Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute, a separate entity within Harvard, was not involved in the post.
The CoHNA’s posts highlighted the centrality of Sanskrit to Hindu cultural heritage, calling it “one of the most ancient languages that has influenced civilisations across the world”. The organisation welcomed the department’s expression of regret as a rare acknowledgment of community concerns, emphasising the need for sensitivity in academic representations of culturally significant subjects. ][2])
The image’s underlying artwork, which some social media users linked to Indian artist Anirudh Sainath’s piece titled Master of Puppets, was described in online discussions as drawing on themes from the Mahabharata. Commenters claimed the depiction involved Krishna’s Ras Leela, a divine play traditionally associated with the Hindu god, complicating assertions that the image was intended to be derogatory.
Despite the apology, debate has persisted across social media platforms. Some commentators defended the university’s handling, arguing the artwork’s original intent did not necessarily align with the interpretations driving the uproar. They pointed to the artist’s background in creating devotional art centred on Hindu deities, suggesting the context and intent behind the selection warrants careful consideration rather than immediate assumptions of bias.
Others used the controversy to raise broader questions about cultural representation and academic framing. Opponents of the artwork argued it reflected deeper issues in how academic institutions engage with non-Western cultural and religious subjects, prompting calls for ongoing dialogue about inclusivity and respect for cultural sensitivities in course materials.
Harvard’s Department of South Asian Studies offers Sanskrit at elementary through advanced levels, framing Classical Sanskrit as a language that shaped intellectual and cultural life across South Asia for nearly three millennia. The programme includes study of epic texts such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, alongside philosophical and literary writings that form the core of South Asian cultural history.
The controversy has placed additional scrutiny on how universities communicate about academic programmes linked to culturally significant languages and traditions. Scholars and observers say academic departments must balance scholarly exploration with cultural respect, ensuring that promotional materials resonate appropriately with diverse audiences. Critics contend that missteps in this area risk undermining the very inclusivity that institutions of higher learning profess to uphold.