Washington, Feb 28 (NationPress) Harvard University’s Department of South Asian Studies has issued an apology for what it termed an “offensive image” associated with its Sanskrit program, following backlash from segments of the Hindu community.

In a statement released on Friday, the department expressed that it “deeply regrets the posting of an insensitive image regarding our Sanskrit program.”

“Our department boasts a long and distinguished history of teaching Sanskrit, and we are dedicated to preserving the language and the rich intellectual and cultural heritage it represents,” the statement continued.

The department also mentioned that it is “examining our internal social media processes to ensure that future posts align more closely with the mission and values of the Department.”

Additionally, it sought to clarify that another Harvard organization was not involved in the incident: “We want to make it clear that the social media post in question is not connected in any way with The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute, which operates as a separate entity at Harvard.”

In response, the Mittal Institute acknowledged the statement from the Department of South Asian Studies concerning the controversial poster.

The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) praised the formal apology from the Department of South Asian Studies at Harvard.

“This is a rare instance where a university department has officially apologized for their Hinduphobic insensitivity!” they stated.

“We appreciate the department's respect and recognition of an ancient language that has significantly influenced civilizations worldwide,” the organization added.

Harvard’s official website characterizes Classical Sanskrit as “the exceptional transcultural, transregional language for the civilizations that have thrived in South Asia.”

“Renowned for its beauty and complexity, it has been referred to as ‘the language of the gods.’ For nearly three thousand years, South Asian sages, rulers, poets, and philosophers have produced texts of remarkable literary elegance and extraordinary logical depth in Sanskrit,” the program description states.

It further emphasizes: “Studying Sanskrit is crucial for unlocking the depths and complexities of the intellectual and emotional landscape of classical South Asia.”

The department offers a range of Sanskrit courses, from elementary to advanced levels, covering epic literature like the Mahābhārata and Rāmāyaṇa, alongside philosophical and literary works.

The introductory course description asserts: “Sanskrit. It’s easier than you think! Discover the richness and beauty of South Asia in just two semesters.” It also mentions that by the end of the academic year, students will be equipped to read texts like the Mahābhārata and Bhagavad Gītā “with nothing but a dictionary.”

Sanskrit occupies a fundamental role in India's intellectual and spiritual traditions, with numerous classical Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain texts written in the language. It has also influenced most contemporary South Asian languages. Recently, discussions about the representation of Hindu traditions in Western academia have garnered attention from diaspora groups in the United States and Canada.