‘Rare moment’: Harvard University apologises over ‘insensitive image’ for Sanskrit course – The Times of India

Harvard University (AP picture)

Harvard University has issued an apology after a social media publish by its Division of South Asian Research that includes paintings associated to its Sanskrit programme sparked allegations of insensitivity and bias on-line.The controversy started after a picture used to symbolize Harvard’s Elementary Sanskrit course drew criticism on social media. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) accused the college of selling what it described as “blatant Hinduphobia,” claiming the paintings portrayed Sanskrit and Hinduism in a darkish and adverse method.Responding to the backlash, the Division of South Asian Research issued a proper assertion expressing remorse. In its assertion, the division mentioned, “The South Asian Research Division deeply regrets the posting of an insensitive picture in relation to our Sanskrit program. As a division, now we have an extended and celebrated historical past of educating Sanskrit, and we stay dedicated to educating the language and the nice mental and cultural custom it carries.”The division additional added that it’s reviewing its inside processes. “We’re reviewing our inside social media course of to make sure future posts extra precisely replicate the mission and values of the Division.” It additionally clarified that the publish had no connection to a different Harvard entity, stating, “We might additionally prefer to make clear that the social media publish in query has no connection by any means with The Lakshmi Mittal and Household South Asia Institute, which is a separate and distinct entity at Harvard.”CoHNA welcomed the apology and shared the assertion on X. The organisation wrote that it was “one of the uncommon moments the place a college division has formally apologized for their Hinduphobic insensitivity”. The organisation added that it was glad to see respect being proven towards Sanskrit, which it described as an historical language that has influenced civilisations around the globe.“We’re glad to see the division displaying respect and appreciation for an historical language that has made a huge effect on civilizations around the globe,” the organisation wrote. The debate erupted after CoHNA criticised an paintings featured on the division’s web site for its Elementary Sanskrit course. The organisation alleged that the visible depicted a darkish Hindu determine with a tilak holding what seemed to be a ghostly figurine and claimed it framed Sanskrit and Hinduism in an “oppressive” method.Some customers identified that the paintings, titled Grasp of Puppets, was reportedly created by Indian artist Anirudh Sainath beneath the model Molee Artwork. In keeping with on-line feedback, the paintings was impressed by themes from the Mahabharata and depicted Krishna’s Ras Leela. Customers additionally highlighted that the artist was identified for creating devotional artwork based mostly on Hindu themes.The organisation had additionally highlighted its issues over how Sanskrit is being launched to college students.“That is how college students are launched to Sanskrit, one of most historical languages that has given beginning to traditional literature, arts, music, and a lot extra. The mom of many languages around the globe,” the organisation wrote on X.