A Texas Republican leader, Alexander Duncan, has sparked controversy over a 90-foot Hanuman statue in Sugar Land. Installed at the Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple, the ‘Statue of Union’ is among the tallest Hindu monuments in the US.
Duncan criticized the statue on social media platform X, calling it a “false statue of a false Hindu God” and citing the Bible’s Exodus 20:3-4 against idol worship. His posts drew strong reactions from religious freedom supporters and Hindu organizations.
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) condemned Duncan’s remarks as “anti-Hindu and inflammatory,” urging the Texas Republican Party to take disciplinary action. Social media users highlighted that Hindu scriptures predate many other religions and urged respect for all faiths.
Unveiled in 2024, the Statue of Union honors Lord Hanuman and was envisioned by spiritual leader Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji. Beyond devotion, it symbolizes unity, harmony, and inclusiveness, attracting attention from the Indian-American community and interfaith groups across the country.
