Harvard's Sanskrit Program Faces Backlash Over Controversial Image: Here's What Happened

Harvard University's Department of South Asian Studies has issued an apology for sharing an insensitive image related to its Sanskrit program, following criticism from the Hindu community. The department expressed regret and emphasized its commitment to teaching Sanskrit and its cultural significance. The Coalition of Hindus of North America welcomed the apology, marking it as a rare acknowledgment of insensitivity. The Sanskrit program at Harvard offers various levels of instruction, highlighting the language's importance in South Asia's intellectual and spiritual traditions. This incident has sparked discussions about the representation of Hindu traditions in Western academia.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 28, 2026, 12:14 IST

Harvard University Issues Apology for Insensitive Image

The Department of South Asian Studies at Harvard University has publicly apologized for sharing what it termed an 'insensitive image' linked to its Sanskrit program, following backlash from certain Hindu groups.

In a statement released on Friday, the department expressed its 'deep regret' over the incident, emphasizing its longstanding commitment to teaching Sanskrit and the rich cultural heritage associated with it.

The department also mentioned that it is currently reviewing its social media practices to ensure that future communications align more closely with its mission and values.

Additionally, the department clarified that the controversial post was not affiliated with The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute, which operates independently within Harvard.

The Mittal Institute acknowledged the statement from the Department of South Asian Studies regarding the poster image.

The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) praised the department's formal apology, calling it a rare instance of a university department acknowledging and addressing Hinduphobic insensitivity.

CoHNA expressed satisfaction with the department's recognition of the significance of Sanskrit, an ancient language that has profoundly influenced civilizations globally.

Harvard's website highlights Classical Sanskrit as a vital language that transcends cultural and regional boundaries, integral to the civilizations that have thrived in South Asia.

Described as 'the language of the gods' for its beauty and complexity, Sanskrit has been the medium for countless literary and philosophical works over nearly three millennia.

The Sanskrit program at Harvard offers various levels of instruction, including elementary, intermediate, and advanced courses that explore epic literature like the Mahābhārata and the Rāmāyaṇa, along with philosophical texts.

The introductory course promises students that learning Sanskrit is more accessible than they might think, enabling them to read significant texts such as the Mahābhārata and Bhagavad Gītā with just a dictionary by the end of the academic year.

Sanskrit is foundational to India's intellectual and spiritual traditions, with many classical texts from Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism composed in this language. It has also influenced many modern South Asian languages. Recent discussions about how Hindu traditions are represented in Western academia have garnered attention from diaspora communities in the U.S. and Canada.