Texas GOP Candidate Denounces 90-Foot Hanuman Statue, Tests America’s Religious Pluralism

A towering 90-foot statue of Lord Hanuman, recently unveiled at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, Texas, has become the center of a heated political and religious controversy. Alexander Duncan, a Republican Senate candidate from Texas, ignited backlash after publicly denouncing the statue on social media, calling it a "false statue of a false Hindu God" and insisting that the United States is a "CHRISTIAN nation."

Duncan's remarks, posted on X (formerly Twitter), included biblical references from Exodus and Romans condemning idol worship. "You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind," he wrote, quoting Exodus 20:3-4. In another post, he added, "They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself," citing Romans 1:25.

The comments drew swift condemnation from civil rights groups and religious freedom advocates. The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) labeled Duncan's statements "anti-Hindu and inflammatory," filing a formal complaint with the Texas Republican Party and urging disciplinary action. "Will you be disciplining your senate candidate who openly contravenes your own guidelines against discrimination?" the group asked in a public post.

Social media users also pushed back, reminding Duncan that the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. "Just because you're not Hindu doesn't make it false," one user wrote. "The Vedas were written almost 2000 years before Jesus walked the earth." Another added, "We are a nation full of people who hold different religious beliefs. It's called freedom of religion."

A Monument of Unity

The statue, named the Statue of Union, was envisioned by spiritual leader Sri Chinnajeeyar Swamiji and inaugurated on August 18, 2024. Standing at 90 feet, it is the tallest Hanuman statue in North America. Located at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple, the monument symbolizes strength, devotion, and unity - inspired by Hanuman's role in reuniting Lord Ram with Sita in the Hindu epic Ramayana. Organizers say the statue is intended to serve as a spiritual hub for generations to come.

Not the First Time

This incident echoes earlier episodes of anti-Hindu sentiment in the United States. In 2020, a Swaminarayan temple in New Jersey was defaced with hate graffiti, prompting federal investigations. In 2015, residents in Georgia protested the construction of a Hindu temple, citing zoning concerns that critics said masked religious bias. And in 2022, a California city council member faced backlash for describing yoga and meditation as "Hindu indoctrination."

Hinduism in the U.S.: A Growing Presence

Despite such challenges, Hinduism continues to flourish in the United States. According to Pew Research, Hindus make up approximately 0.9% of the U.S. adult population - around 3 million people - making it one of the fastest-growing religious groups. The community is predominantly composed of immigrants and their descendants from India and South Asia, though it includes converts from diverse backgrounds.

The U.S. is home to hundreds of Hindu temples, with Texas alone hosting over 120. States like California and New Jersey also have significant Hindu populations. Hindus in America are among the most educated and economically successful groups, with over three-quarters holding college degrees and more than a third earning upwards of $100,000 annually.

Constitutional Values vs. Political Rhetoric

The controversy surrounding the Hanuman statue highlights ongoing tensions between religious pluralism and political rhetoric. While the Statue of Union stands as a symbol of unity and devotion, the debate it has sparked raises broader questions about tolerance, identity, and the enduring promise of the First Amendment.

As the Texas GOP faces pressure to respond, the incident serves as a reminder that America's strength lies in its diversity - and in its commitment to protect the beliefs of all its citizens.