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CoHNA slams Harvard over Sanskrit artwork
The organization described the use of the poster as 'blatant Hinduphobia' and 'bigotry'.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Fri, 27, Feb 2026
- 00:23 EST
- 18
Image used by Harvard University's Department of South Asian Studies / Harvard University
The Coalition of Hindus of North America recently called out Harvard University's Department of South Asian Studies for misrepresenting and demonising the Sanskrit language.
The Department, which offers a course on Sanskrit, has used an allegedly trobling image while sharing details about the course on the university's website. While the page largely highlights the significance and literary achievements of the language, the accompnying poster has drawn the Hindu community organization's ire.
The artwork used by the Department features a male figure with an Urdhva Pundra tilak, a sacred mark worn primarily by Vaishnavas to represent the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu, in a dark background. The male figure is also adorned with a peacock feather on the head and is drawing parallels to the Hindu God Krishna.
ALSO READ: CoHNA youth group condemns Hinduphobic attack on San Jose campus
Additionally, the figure is presenting as a puppet master controlling figurines. The image can be traced back to its creator Anirudh, who goes by the pen name 'molee' and was posted on an art website called Deviant Art. Molee has also posted several other photos on the website, these photos largely revolve around Hindu religious figures and show them as larger than life powerful beings.
Describing the use of the poster as "Blatant Hinduphobia and bigotry", the organization described the image as, "a scene that feels straight out of a horror movie, starring a dark Hindu figure (notice the Tilak on his forehead) dangling some sort of ghostly figurines in his hands."
Blatant Hinduphobia and bigotry on display at @Harvard’s South Asian studies department.
— CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) (@CoHNAOfficial) February 27, 2026
A scene that feels straight out of a horror movie, starring a dark Hindu figure (notice the Tilak on his forehead) dangling some sort of ghostly figurines in his hands.
This is how… pic.twitter.com/UYzt3dQLMp
The organization alleged that it is not just the language that is being misrepresented but it is also Hinduism, a religion which holds Sanskrit sacred, which is also being misrepresnted by the university.
They added, "This is how students are introduced to Sanskrit, one of most ancient languages that has given birth to classic literature, arts, music, and so much more. The mother of many languages around the world."
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