A Texas Republican leader allied with US President Donald Trump has sparked a major controversy after criticizing the construction of the Statue of Union, a 90-foot statue of Lord Hanuman, calling it a “false Hindu God.” The remarks come amid growing anti-India rhetoric from US officials and rising online hate speech targeting Hindu Americans.
Alexander Duncan, running for the US Senate in Texas, posted a video of the Hanuman statue on X, writing, “Why are we allowing a false statue of a false Hindu God to be here in Texas? We are a Christian nation!” He followed up with a Bible quote emphasizing that followers should not make idols or images of any god.
The comments drew swift backlash from the Hindu American Foundation and Indian-American communities, who labeled them “anti-Hindu and inflammatory.” The foundation also questioned the Texas Republican Party, asking if Duncan would be disciplined for violating party guidelines and disrespecting the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion.
The controversy comes shortly after Trump aide Peter Navarro faced criticism for making casteist remarks about Brahmins in India. Indian-American citizens, like entrepreneur Tapesh Yadav, expressed disappointment over Duncan’s statements, noting that they contradict the Republican Party’s principles of freedom and opportunity.
The Hanuman statue, inaugurated in August 2024 at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple, is North America’s tallest Hanuman figure. Since its unveiling, it has faced backlash from MAGA supporters who called it a “demonic” monument or even compared it to George Floyd, drawing condemnation from Hindu groups and the Indian diaspora.
The Texas Hanuman statue controversy highlights the ongoing challenges Hindu Americans face regarding religious tolerance, cultural respect, and political rhetoric in the United States. Analysts say it could further alienate Indian-American voters ahead of elections.
