Houston Hinduphobia: University Defends Professor | Calling Hinduism A Political Tool Not Offensive? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfqNnBqRU4s NewsX Live
Mar 30, 2025
A recent controversy has erupted at a Houston university after a professor described Hinduism as a political tool. The university has defended the professor's remarks, stating that it was not intended to be offensive. The comments have sparked widespread debate about the boundaries of academic freedom and the line between academic discourse and offensive speech
University of Houston defends ‘Lived Hindu Religion’ course amid ‘Hinduphobia’ controversy – Here’s what it said https://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/university-of-houston-defends-lived-hindu-religion-course-amid-hinduphobia-controversy-heres-what-it-said/3793573/ student Vasant Bhatt, a political science major, alleged that the course was "Hinduphobic" and distorted India's political landscape. .. the university clarified that the course employs terminology like “fundamentalism” as analytical tools, common across the study of various religious traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. The institution acknowledged that academic terms can differ from their usage in public discourse, potentially leading to misunderstandings. ..
Professor Ullrey, the course’s instructor, responded to the criticism, emphasising that the course employs descriptive anthropology, not prescriptive theology. He stated that he aims to showcase the complexity and historical depth of Hindu religious traditions.
The University of Houston’s course reportedly describes Hinduism as a “colonial construct” and refers to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “Hindu fundamentalist.” It also suggests that India operates as a Hindu nationalist state engaged in the oppression of minority communities. He clarified that the course explores the historical development of Hindu religious practices, tracing their origins to ancient scriptures and pre-existing traditions. He speciallu denied saying “Hinduism…was not an ancient, lived tradition but a colonial construct, a political tool weaponised by Hindu nationalists, and a system of oppression against minorities.” He argued that the class addresses political Hinduism alongside 25 other aspects of Hinduism to demonstrate that no singular definition of Hinduism should be accepted.
https://www.msn.com/en-xl/society-culture-and-history/social-issues/many-aspects-of-hinduism-misrepresented-portrayed-negatively-indian-american-student-on-hindu-religion-course-offered-by-houston-university/ar-AA1BThhW TThe student said.. he clearest and most troubling example was found in the core syllabus itself and it stated that the word Hindu is recent, not found in scripture. Hindutva or Hinduness is a term that Hindu nationalists, those who believe Hinduism should be the official religion of India, used to designate their religion and denigrate others, namely Islam. This is what was said in the syllabus, and this is not some neutral academic statement, right?
https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/who-is-houston-university-professor-micheal-ullrey-and-what-s-his-views-on-hinduism