The University of Houston reiterated its dedication to academic freedom on Friday after an Indian-American political science student, Vasant Bhatt, complained that a course on Hinduism titled Lived Hindu Religion presents a distorted view that promotes prejudice against Hindus and fosters "Hinduphobia." He specifically accused the instructor, Professor Aaron Michael Ullrey, of portraying Hinduism as a political tool used by Hindu nationalists. Bhatt filed a formal complaint with the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences but was dissatisfied with the university's response. He criticised the religious studies department for not addressing the core issue and diverting attention from his concerns.

In response to the complaint, the University of Houston (UH) defended the course, emphasising that it is based on the academic study of religion. The university explained that terms like "fundamentalism" and "Hindutva" are used as scholarly tools to analyse religious movements across various faiths, including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. It also noted that these terms carry specific academic meanings that may differ from their interpretation in public or political discussions.

UH further clarified that the Dean and the Director of Religious Studies had carefully reviewed Bhatt's concerns, held discussions with Professor Ullrey, and determined that the course aligns with academic and teaching standards.

"The course applies academic frameworks to analyse how Hinduism, like other world religions, has developed in historical, social, and political contexts," the University of Houston stated that relating course material to contemporary events, such as the rise of Hindu nationalism in India, is intended to explore the connection between religion and modern society. The university emphasised that this approach is not a criticism of Hinduism itself.

Professor Ullrey, defending the course, emphasised, “The essence of this course’s methodology is to use descriptive anthropology rather than any prescriptive theology. I never declared anything to be the essence of Hinduism, which would contradict the course and my own research over the last 25 years.” He also clarified that media reports quoting him as describing Hinduism as a colonial construct or a system of oppression were taken out of context. “Any declaration that I say Hinduism is not ancient is false. The course focuses on the religions that worship Hindu gods as ancient and deeply rooted in South Asia,” he stated.

He explained that Lived Hindu Religion examines the diverse aspects of Hinduism, exploring how its rituals, mythologies, and practices have evolved from ancient times to the present. The course highlights that Hinduism is not a singular, uniform tradition but a collection of various beliefs, interpretations, and customs.

The University of Houston emphasises that academic freedom allows professors to tackle difficult and complex topics, encouraging critical thinking and deeper understanding. “The course is designed to encourage thoughtful, balanced discussions and to help students understand how religions evolve and interact with political, social, and historical forces,” according to the university. 

Addressing concerns about referring to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "Hindu fundamentalist," Ullrey clarified that the term was used purely in an academic context to study political movements, not as a personal judgment or critique.