Hinduphobia at Harvard University
On February 2 of 2021, Hindu Students Council sent and published an Open Letter to Harvard University regarding Hinduphobia on its campus.
Students, alumni, and faculty from over 100 universities in North America have signed the Open Letter – in just under one week.
Harvard has stayed silent in the face of continuous Hinduphobia on its campus, whether from its own administrators, speakers hosted by the university, and even its very own Harvard University Press. When will Harvard choose to speak up on behalf of the Hindu community at Harvard — and for Hindu students across the world who look to Harvard as an exemplar?
Our Open Letter can be found at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuu3C0soD1c0jWIPJTm-A5NDjK827kaiGqlpNAOPDk6J-8wg/viewform?gxids=7628
Signed by Students, Alumni, and Faculty from:
Harvard University
Harvard Medical School
Amherst College
Arizona State University
Bentley University
Berklee College of Music
Binghamton University
Boston University
California Polytechnic San Luis Obispo
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Sacramento
Cleveland State University
Colorado State University
Columbia University
Columbia University
Concordia University
Cornell University
Dallas College
Dartmouth College
Drexel University
Emory University
Florida International University
George Washington University
Georgetown University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Hindu University of America
Hofstra University
Hunter College
Illinois Institute of Technology
Indiana University
Jefferson University
Johns Hopkins University
Kansas State University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mercer University
Midwestern University
New Jersey Institute of Technology
New York University
North Carolina State University
Northeastern University
Ohio State University
Oregon State University
Penn State University
Princeton University
Purdue University
Rice University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rowan University
Rush University Medical Center
Rutgers University
Ryerson University
Saint James School of Medicine
San Diego State University
San Francisco State University
San Jose City College
San Jose State University
Southern Methodist University
Stanford University
State University of New York
State University of New York, Canton
Stevens Institute of Technology
Temple University
Texas A&M University
Texas Tech University
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, San Diego
University of Central Florida
University of Connecticut
University of Illinois, Chicago
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
University of Kansas
University of Maryland – Baltimore County
University of Maryland – College Park
University of South California
Yale University
A Few Comments from Signatories:
“As a Hindu American I find this horrifying and worry about the future of Hindus in this country.”
“It is very disturbing to witness institutions remain silent in the name of ‘freedom of expression’ in what is anti-Hindu hate and Hinduphobia.”
“A public statement made by a fellow against a religious group of people fosters hatred. It needs to be addressed as such. We expect Harvard to take appropriate action.”
“Historically, Hindus have entertained diversity in views and tolerance. As an eminent institution, Harvard must recognize that there is a concerted effort to portray negatively this ancient and tolerant religion by … academics.”
“I am not a Harvard student but this is an issue of major concern and it needs attention!”
“I have high respect for Harvard, but it hurts to see a professor being so Hinduphobic. As a mother of a high school senior, who will be soon be in college, I am fearful about my son’s wellbeing in college with such blatant Hinduphobia in academia. I don’t want him to hide his Hindu identity to survive his college years. This professor needs to apologize for his comments. Would Harvard have continued with a professor making similar comments against Muslims or Jews?”
“The examples listed at the bottom of the letter were fairly eye-opening to all of us. We had no idea that there was a fairly extensive history of incidents that are associated with Harvard University.” (from a student at a nearby university in Boston)
“Growing Hinduphobia in North American universities is a mounting concern. This needs to be addressed to ensure that education is provided with right content and Hindu students aren’t targeted as a result of this Hinduphobia.”