After an Indian-origin student complaint about a Hinduphobic course at Houston University, the university has defended its content of a course on the Hindu religion by mentioning about ‘fundamentalism’.

The university clarified that terms like ‘fundamentalism’ are used in an academic context to explore the evolution of religions, rather than to express judgment or bias.

A statement of the university read, “The University of Houston (UH) values academic freedom, which includes allowing faculty to explore complex and sometimes challenging topics in their teaching. While UH does not typically review individual lectures, the university maintains oversight of the curriculum to ensure it meets established academic and pedagogical standards”.

As per reports, the university has acknowledged the concerns. The course, titled ‘Lived Hindu Religion’, is conducted online, featuring weekly video lectures by Professor Aaron Michael Ullrey.

This comes after an Indian-origin student Vasant Bhatt, a political science major at the university, had lodged a complaint before the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences under which this course is being offered.

According to him, Professor Ullrey reportedly said that Hinduism was not an “ancient, lived tradition”, but a “political tool” weaponised by “Hindu nationalists, and a system of oppression against minorities”.

Hindu advocacy organisations including Hindu on Campus and Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) have also condemned the course.

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Indian-American student alleges ‘Hinduphobia’ at US university after row over Hinduism course