Texas (Rajeev Sharma): A Republican candidate for the Texas State Senate, Alexander Duncan, has come under fire after posting controversial comments about a newly unveiled 90-foot statue of Lord Hanuman at the Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land.
Sharing a video of the monument on X (formerly Twitter), Duncan wrote: “Why are we allowing a false statue of a false Hindu God to be here in Texas? We are a CHRISTIAN nation.” He later cited verses from the Book of Exodus, arguing against the existence of idols and reiterating his opposition to the installation.
The remarks drew strong condemnation from interfaith and civil rights groups. The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) labelled the statement “anti-Hindu and inflammatory” and urged the Texas Republican Party to take disciplinary action. “Will you be disciplining your senate candidate who openly contravenes your own guidelines against discrimination—displaying some pretty sordid anti-Hindu hate—not to mention disrespect for the 1st Amendment’s Establishment Clause?” the Foundation asked in a post on X.
Social media reaction was swift and divided. Many users defended the constitutional right to freedom of religion, while others criticised Duncan’s statements. One user, Jordan Crowder, responded: “Just because you’re not Hindu doesn’t make it false. The Vedas were written almost 2,000 years before Jesus walked the earth and are extraordinary texts… so it would be wise to honour and research the religion that predates and influences yours.”
The statue, known as the Statue of Union, was inaugurated in 2024 under the guidance of spiritual leader Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji. Standing 90 feet tall, it represents peace and unity, and is now the third-largest statue in the United States.
