In a surprising development, Harvard University has issued an apology on its website on behalf of its Department of South Asian Studies after an artwork used for a Sanskrit course sparked widespread online backlash for being labelled 'Hinduphobic'.
The institution said it 'deeply regrets' sharing an 'insensitive' image linked to its Sanskrit program.
It added that the department has a ' long and celebrated' history of teaching Sanskrit and remains committed to the language. The university also noted that it is reviewing its internal social media processes to ensure future posts better reflect the 'mission and values' of the department.
The statement further clarified that the post had no connection with The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute, which is a 'separate and distinct entity' at Harvard.
What sparked the outrage?
The apology follows criticism from the Coalition of Hindus of North America, which took to social media to call out what it described as 'blatant Hinduphobia' in the visual used to represent the Elementary Sanskrit course.
On X, the organisation accused the university of bigotry for featuring an image that appeared 'straight out of a horror movie', depicting a dark Hindu figure with a tilak, dangling 'some sort of ghostly figurine in his hands'.
It also alleged that Sanskrit, described as 'Hinduism's sacred language', was being introduced in a 'dark, manipulative and oppressive manner', mirroring how the religion itself is portrayed.
“This is how students are introduced to Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages that has given birth to classic literature, arts, music, and so much more. The mother of many languages around the world,” the post added while tagging Laskhmi Mittal, an Indian philanthropist and major benefactor of the university.
Blatant Hinduphobia and bigotry on display at @Harvard’s South Asian studies department.A scene that feels straight out of a horror movie, starring a dark Hindu figure (notice the Tilak on his forehead) dangling some sort of ghostly figurines in his hands.
This is how… pic.twitter.com/UYzt3dQLMp
— CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) (@CoHNAOfficial) February 27, 2026
Debate continues online
Despite the apology, the controversy has continued to stir debate on social media.
Some users argued that the response did not address what they described as ongoing 'Hinduphobia at Harvard' or in other South Asian Studies departments globally.
One X user said they would have 'preferred' the artwork to remain, claiming it exposed how Hindu culture is being 'targeted in the highest echelons of academia'. They also criticised Indian business tycoons for continuing to fund the 'wrong people' in academia.
Another user referenced a separate post by the coalition that pointed to a 2020 Harvard Press promotion of a book by Ajantha Subramanian, Professor of Anthropology and South Asian Studies.
That post featured a satirical artwork by Indian artist Gaganendranath Tagore showing a priest in saffron crushing ordinary people under a massive millstone.
They further suggested that the university should audit its department’s 'entire history' of imagery and messaging that evoked a 'Saffron Terror', arguing the Sanskrit course controversy was not merely a 'deviation from their pious mission'. Additionally, the post claimed that the accompanying text was 'neutral and somewhat appreciative of Sanskrit' and speculated that the imagery may have been used to bypass language detectors scanning for anti-Hindu rhetoric.
