Indian-American groups, including the Hindu American Foundation, condemned Duncan’s remarks as anti-Hindu and urged the Texas GOP to act, highlighting hypocrisy on religious freedom amid rising online hate and strained U.S.-India ties over trade and immigration policies
A Republican Senate candidate in Texas has triggered widespread outrage after making controversial remarks about a 90-foot statue of Lord Hanuman recently inaugurated at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple. Alexander Duncan, who is running for the U.S. Senate, questioned the statue’s presence, calling it a representation of a "false god" and claiming it contradicts the values of a "Christian nation."
The statue, unveiled in August 2024, is the tallest Hanuman idol in North America. Duncan’s comments came via a post on X (formerly Twitter), where he shared a video of the monument and questioned why such a symbol was allowed in Texas. He later cited a Bible verse warning against idol worship, further fuelling the controversy.
His statements have been condemned by Indian-American organizations and civil rights groups. The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) publicly called on the Texas Republican Party to take disciplinary action, noting the comments were "anti-Hindu, inflammatory, and discriminatory." The group highlighted the contradiction between Duncan's remarks and the GOP’s stated commitment to religious freedom and non-discrimination.
Religious freedom, political tensions, and social media hate
The incident comes amid rising online hate targeting the Indian and Hindu communities in the U.S., coinciding with growing geopolitical tensions over trade, tariffs, and immigration policies. The recent hike in H-1B visa fees, largely impacting Indian professionals, and previous racially charged comments by Trump advisor Peter Navarro have already strained relations with Indian-Americans.
Social media platforms have seen continued backlash from conservative circles against the Hanuman statue. Critics have labeled the monument as “demonic” and even made offensive comparisons, including likening it to George Floyd, whose death in 2020 sparked nationwide protests.
Entrepreneurs and long-time Republican supporters have also expressed disappointment. “It’s troubling to see such views being promoted by someone running on a platform of freedom and opportunity,” tweeted Tapesh Yadav, a U.S.-based Indian-American voter.
The controversy over the statue raises broader questions about the boundaries of religious expression, the politicization of cultural identity, and the role of minority communities in America’s evolving political landscape.
