Houston: After a student of the University of Houston reportedly objected to the content of a course on Hinduism calling it ‘Hinduphobic’, the university has defended the course matter stating that it values academic freedom. The course in question is titled ‘Lived Hindu Religion.’
“The course is grounded in the academic discipline of religious studies, which uses specific terminology — such as ‘fundamentalism’ –as analytical tools to understand religious movements across traditions, including those rooted in Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism,” the university responded, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
According to the educational institute, ‘these academic terms can carry different meanings from how they are used in public or political discourse, which sometimes leads to misunderstandings.’
The university had also claimed that it doesn’t typically review individual lectures by faculty members, allowing them to ‘explore complex and sometimes challenging topics in their teachings,’ reported the ANI.
What’s the controversy?
The controversy erupted after the student registered a complaint against the course. This prompted the university’s dean and the director of religious studies review the concerns. It is being taught by Professor Aaron Michael Ullrey. He has responded to the criticism of his teaching of the course, according to the ANI report. “The essence of this course’s methodology is to use descriptive anthropology rather than any prescriptive theology. Throughout the course, my goal is to show the sophistication, rationality, and historical complexity of the many religions deemed Hindu throughout the history of South Asia. I never declared anything to be the essence of Hinduism, which would not only contradict the course but would also contradict my own research and teaching over the last 25 years,” he said as quoted by the ANI.
He debunked some reports that quoted him as saying – “Hinduism … was not an ancient, lived tradition but a colonial construct, a political tool weaponized by Hindu nationalists, and a system of oppression against minorities.”
