“Grand Old Party” Candidate's Remarks on Hanuman Statue Ignite Controversy

A Republican candidate for the Texas Senate, Alexander Duncan, has ignited a significant controversy by denouncing a 90-foot statue of the Hindu deity Hanuman as a "false statue of a false Hindu God." His public statements have triggered widespread condemnation from Hindu-American organizations and community leaders, who have labeled the rhetoric as discriminatory and incendiary.

Online Comments Provoke Backlash

The controversy began when Duncan posted a video of the statue on social media with the question, "Why are we allowing a false statue of a false Hindu God to be here in Texas? We are a Christian nation!" He followed this with another post quoting a biblical passage against idol worship.

The response from the Hindu-American community was swift and forceful. The Hindu American Foundation publicly questioned the Texas Republican Party, asking if it would discipline a candidate who contravenes its own anti-discrimination guidelines and disrespects the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, which prevents the government from establishing an official religion. Other community members expressed their dismay, highlighting that such comments alienate voters and violate conservative principles of freedom for all.

Part of a Larger Pattern

This incident is not the first time the Hanuman statue, which was inaugurated in August 2024, has been a target of criticism. Since its unveiling at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple, the monument—the tallest of its kind in North America—has faced online hostility from some conservative commentators and supporters of the MAGA movement.

Some media coverage at the time of its inauguration was also viewed as derogatory by Hindu groups. This latest event adds to a growing concern over what is seen as a pattern of anti-Hindu and anti-Indian sentiment in some political circles, creating a tense climate around issues of religious expression and cultural identity in the United States.

GOP Candidate's Stance and Public Reaction

Controversial Statement: A Republican Senate candidate in Texas, Alexander Duncan, publicly condemned a prominent Hanuman statue, calling it an idol of a "false God."

Strong Condemnation: Hindu-American groups, including the Hindu American Foundation, have denounced the remarks as hateful and have called for the Texas GOP to take action.

Constitutional Questions: Critics of the statement have pointed to the First Amendment, which guarantees religious freedom and prohibits the establishment of a state religion.

Recurring Target: The statue has been the subject of online hate and negative media attention from some conservative factions since it was inaugurated in 2024.