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 Houston Hinduphobia: University Defends Professor | Calling Hinduism A Political Tool Not Offensive?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfqNnBqRU4s NewsX Live 
Mar 30, 2025 
A recent controversy has erupted at a Houston university after a professor described Hinduism as a political tool. The university has defended the professor's remarks, stating that it was not intended to be offensive. The comments have sparked widespread debate about the boundaries of academic freedom and the line between academic discourse and offensive speech

University of Houston defends ‘Lived Hindu Religion’ course amid ‘Hinduphobia’ controversy – Here’s what it said https://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/university-of-houston-defends-lived-hindu-religion-course-amid-hinduphobia-controversy-heres-what-it-said/3793573/  student Vasant Bhatt, a political science major, alleged that the course was "Hinduphobic" and distorted India's political landscape. .. the university clarified that the course employs terminology like “fundamentalism” as analytical tools, common across the study of various religious traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. The institution acknowledged that academic terms can differ from their usage in public discourse, potentially leading to misunderstandings. ..

Professor Ullrey, the course’s instructor, responded to the criticism, emphasising that the course employs descriptive anthropology, not prescriptive theology. He stated that he aims to showcase the complexity and historical depth of Hindu religious traditions. 

The University of Houston’s course reportedly describes Hinduism as a “colonial construct” and refers to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “Hindu fundamentalist.” It also suggests that India operates as a Hindu nationalist state engaged in the oppression of minority communities. He clarified that the course explores the historical development of Hindu religious practices, tracing their origins to ancient scriptures and pre-existing traditions. He speciallu denied saying   “Hinduism…was not an ancient, lived tradition but a colonial construct, a political tool weaponised by Hindu nationalists, and a system of oppression against minorities.” He argued that the class addresses political Hinduism alongside 25 other aspects of Hinduism to demonstrate that no singular definition of Hinduism should be accepted.

https://www.msn.com/en-xl/society-culture-and-history/social-issues/many-aspects-of-hinduism-misrepresented-portrayed-negatively-indian-american-student-on-hindu-religion-course-offered-by-houston-university/ar-AA1BThhW   TThe student said.. he clearest and most troubling example was found in the core syllabus itself and it stated that the word Hindu is recent, not found in scripture. Hindutva or Hinduness is a term that Hindu nationalists, those who believe Hinduism should be the official religion of India, used to designate their religion and denigrate others, namely Islam. This is what was said in the syllabus, and this is not some neutral academic statement, right?

https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/who-is-houston-university-professor-micheal-ullrey-and-what-s-his-views-on-hinduism

Sushant case: media trial impacts investigation, says HC https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/sushant-case-media-trial-can-affect-probe-says-hc/article33600567.ece   he Bombay High Court on Monday held that a media trial interferes with administration of justice and could lead to obstructing investigation and administration of justice. The court, referring to the print and electronic coverage following the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, said this amounts to criminal contempt.

https://www.thequint.com/videos/news-videos/rhea-chakraborty-media-lynching-sushant-singh-rajput-cbi-closure-report#read-more 

https://frontline.thehindu.com/dispatches/media-trial-as-seen-in-sushant-singh-rajputs-case-amounts-to-contempt-of-court-bombay-high-court/article33601707.ece  

 As per a LiveLawreport, the bench, while advising that coverage be informative and of public interest, held that “media trial [that happens after judicial proceedings begin] interferes with administration of justice and hence amounts to 'contempt of court' as defined under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.”

In disposing of PILs seeking regulation of media trials in the backdrop of the Sushant Singh Rajput suicide case, the bench laid down guidelines by pronouncing them in open court. Chief among them, it held that the Press Council of India’s guidelines on crime reporting be made applicable to broadcast media as well

 How Sushant Singh Rajput case was twisted for political gains  https://youtu.be/bn3p6tEEjs8?t=205 Let Me Explain Mar 31, 2025  In the aftermath of Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, journalism on news channels sank to a new low. Anchors morphed into self-styled crusaders, filling primetime with relentless speculation. Conspiracy theories spiraled out of control. Five years later, the Central Bureau of Investigation confirmed Rajput’s death was a suicide, absolving his then girlfriend and actor Rhea Chakraborty of all charges. 

In this episode of Let Me Explain, Pooja Prasanna examines how the media exploited the tragedy and with no proof, vilified Rhea Chakraborty, branding her a gold-digger, manipulator, and drug supplier, and accusing her of pushing Rajput to suicide. She also dissects how BJP leaders politicised the tragedy, and how vital conversations on mental health were silenced.

https://www.thequint.com/videos/news-videos/rhea-chakraborty-media-lynching-sushant-singh-rajput-cbi-closure-report   Before the legal system could do its job, social media had already pronounced Rhea guilty. Hashtags like #JusticeForSSR were weaponized to paint a narrative. Among the loudest voices were now BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut. An independent woman herself, she called Rhea a ‘gold digger’. Pradeep Bhandari, a former journalist and now a BJP figure, played a key role in this smear campaign. He, along with his former boss, hounded Rhea and her family, claiming to ‘fight for justice.’  News anchor Navika Kumar, who once boasted about possessing ‘bags full of evidence,’ c couldn’t provide any to the CBI. 

Hounded and not guilty: A Bollywood media trial blows up in smoke  https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwygd3w1l77o  She was slut-shamed and spent 27 days in prison after a hate-filled vicious media campaign in 2020 alleged she had been involved in the death of her actor boyfriend Sushant Singh Rajput.