New Delhi: After facing backlash from sections of the Hindu community, the Harvard University has apologised over a social media post by its Department of South Asian Studies, linked to its Sanskrit program.

Department issues statement

The department has released a statement on Friday in which it said, “The South Asian Studies Department deeply regrets the posting of an insensitive image in relation to our Sanskrit program. As a department, we have a long and celebrated history of teaching Sanskrit, and we remain committed to teaching the language and the great intellectual and cultural tradition it carries.”

It added, “We are reviewing our internal social media process to ensure future posts more accurately reflect the mission and values of the Department. We would also like to clarify that the social media post in question has no connection whatsoever with The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute, which is a separate and distinct entity at Harvard.”

The image in question

Earlier, the department of the Harvard University used a controversial image to promote the its Elementary Sanskrit course. According to the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), an advocacy group representing North America’s Hindu community, the image showed Sanskrit and Hinduism negatively, and described it as “Hinduphobic”.

Prof. Parimal Patil
Prof. Patrick Cummins
Dean Hopi Hoekstra@Harvard

Your choice of a sublimally-charged, dark image of Bhagavan Krishna shown as a puppeteer handling the 5 Pandavas in order to sell your #Sanskrit courses is reprehensible, and totally unbecoming of a… pic.twitter.com/ilGHaAUHFH

— Raj Vedam (@RajVedam1)

CoHNA welcome apology

CoHNA has welcomed the apology and wrote on its X account, “This is one of the rare moments where a university department has formally apologized for their Hinduphobic insensitivity! We are glad to see the department showing respect and appreciation for an ancient language that has made a huge impact on civilizations around the world.”

Harvard University apologizes for Hinduphobic Sanskrit course image

Coverage of the change resulting from advocacy led by CoHNA, which first flagged the outrageous image. Let’s continue to speak up and ask for change. https://t.co/Las7dIFqqS

— CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) (@CoHNAOfficial)

It also said, “Harvard University apologizes for Hinduphobic Sanskrit course image. Coverage of the change resulting from advocacy led by CoHNA, which first flagged the outrageous image. Let’s continue to speak up and ask for change.”