March 28, 2025, Houston, Texas: A major controversy has erupted over a course on Hinduism at the University of Houston, USA, with Indian-American student and activist Vasant Bhatt accusing the university of misrepresenting the religion. Bhatt, a political science student, has labeled the course “Lived Hinduism,” taught by Professor Aaron Michael Ulery, as anti-Hindu and politically biased.
Bhatt has filed a complaint with the College of Arts and Social Sciences dean, alleging that the course portrays Hinduism as a political tool rather than an ancient living tradition. According to Bhatt, the course claims that the term ‘Hindu’ is a modern political construct and associates Hindu nationalism (Hindutva) with the suppression of minorities. He believes the course promotes prejudice against Hinduism and distorts India’s political landscape.
The University of Houston has acknowledged Bhatt’s concerns and has initiated a curriculum review to ensure that all perspectives are represented appropriately.
India’s Response to USCIRF Report
This controversy coincides with India’s rejection of the 2025 report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which accused India of failing to protect religious rights. India’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the report as biased and politically motivated, asserting that it misrepresents the country’s multicultural society.
Visa Cancellations and Rising Rejection Rates
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in India has canceled over 2,000 visa applications due to fraud-related activities. The embassy identified significant violations in the appointment system caused by bots and suspended the associated accounts.
The embassy stated, “We have zero tolerance for agents and fixers who violate our scheduling policies.” This development further complicates the ongoing visa backlog issue.
B1 and B2 visas, issued for business and tourism, have seen prolonged waiting times of 800 to 1,000 days since 2022-23. To address the backlog, the US had to open visa appointments for Indian applicants in Frankfurt and Bangkok.
Additionally, student visa rejections have surged. In FY 2023-24, 41% of 6.79 lakh F-1 visa applications were denied—a sharp rise from the previous year’s 36% rejection rate. Reports suggest that Indian students faced a 38% drop in visas issued in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Keep reading questiqa.in for more news.
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