Harvard University (AP image)

NEW DELHI: Harvard University has issued a formal apology after a social media post promoting its Elementary Sanskrit course triggered sharp criticism from sections of the Hindu community, with the artwork used in the post labelled “Hinduphobic” and culturally insensitive. In a statement posted on its website on Feb 27, the university said it “deeply regrets the posting of an insensitive image” in relation to the Sanskrit programme and confirmed that the artwork had been withdrawn. The statement was issued on behalf of the department of South Asian Studies.The controversy centred on an artwork titled ‘Master of Puppets’, created by Indian artist Anirudh Sainath under the brand Molee Art. The image, which some social media users said drew on themes from the Mahabharata and Krishna’s Ras Leela, was criticised for its dark, “horror-movie” aesthetic. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) accused the university of portraying Sanskrit – described by the group as “Hinduism’s sacred language” – in a “dark, manipulative and oppressive manner”. In posts on X, the organisation called the visual a symbol of “blatant Hinduphobia” and said it appeared “straight out of a horror movie”.Responding to the backlash, Harvard said the department had a “long and celebrated” history of teaching Sanskrit and remained committed to the language and its intellectual and cultural traditions. It added that it was reviewing its internal social media process to “ensure future posts more accurately reflect the mission and values of the department”.The university clarified that the post had no connection with the Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute, describing it as a “separate and distinct entity”. While CoHNA welcomed the apology as a rare step towards academic accountability, the episode has reignited debate online over how Hindu traditions are represented at western academic institutions and whether greater cultural sensitivity is needed in course promotion and public communication.