Hindu Parents Raise Concerns About Faith’s Problematic Depiction in Classrooms

Hindu parents in the United States are voicing long-standing concerns about how Hinduism and India are depicted in public school curricula. Many argue that lessons rely on outdated colonial perspectives, particularly in explaining caste through the widely used “caste pyramid” chart, which places Brahmins at the top and Shudras or “untouchables” at the bottom. Parents believe this oversimplification misrepresents a complex cultural and historical system and perpetuates harmful stereotypes. The Hindu Parents Network, part of the Coalition of Hindus of North America, offers workshops and support groups to address these issues, while groups like the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) have successfully pushed for textbook changes, such as replacing the word “caste” with “varna” or “class.” Legal and social debates continue, as seen in California’s 2023 caste discrimination bill. Parents emphasize that Hinduism’s core teachings focus on karma, self-discipline, and personal growth, not rigid hierarchies defined by birth.

Source : https://www.hinduismtoday.com/hpi/2025/08/15/hindu-parents-raise-concerns-about-faiths-problematic-depiction-in-classrooms/