Texas Republican leader Alexander Duncan is facing backlash after publicly opposing the installation of a 90-foot statue of the Hindu deity Lord Hanuman in Sugar Land, Texas. Dubbed the ‘Statue of Union,’ the monument is the tallest Hanuman statue in North America and was unveiled at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple on August 18, 2024.

Duncan took to X (formerly Twitter), calling the statue a representation of a "false Hindu god" and asserting that the United States is a "Christian nation." He wrote, “Why are we allowing a false statue of a false Hindu God to be here in Texas? We are a CHRISTIAN nation,” sharing a video of the statue.

He followed up by quoting Bible verses from Exodus and Romans to justify his stance, warning against idol worship and suggesting that Americans were “trading the truth about God for a lie.”

His remarks have sparked swift criticism, especially from the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), which condemned his comments as “anti-Hindu and inflammatory.” The group filed a formal complaint with the Texas Republican Party, calling for disciplinary action and accusing Duncan of violating the party’s own non-discrimination guidelines.

“Hello @TexasGOP,” HAF posted, “will you be disciplining your senate candidate who is openly displaying some pretty sordid anti-Hindu hate—not to mention disrespect for the 1st Amendment's Establishment Clause?”

Social media users also joined in the criticism, pointing out that the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of religion for all faiths. Many reminded Duncan that Hinduism predates Christianity by centuries and has had a profound philosophical and cultural influence across the world.

One user responded, “Just because you're not Hindu doesn’t make it false. The Vedas were written nearly 2000 years before Jesus. There’s wisdom there worth respecting.”

Another added, “We are a nation of many beliefs. That’s what religious freedom means.”

The Statue of Union, envisioned by spiritual leader Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, symbolizes Hanuman’s devotion and strength. Its name honors Hanuman’s role in reuniting Lord Ram and Sita and aims to inspire peace, devotion, and unity for future generations.