‘False Hindu God’: Texas Republican leader’s remark on Hanuman statue sparks row

A Republican Party leader is under fire after making public remarks about a 90-foot statue of Lord Hanuman in Texas. Located at Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple in the town of Sugar Land, the ‘Statue of Union’ was inaugurated in August 2024.In a post on X, Texas Republican Alexander Duncan shared a video of the statue and objected to its construction. Referring to the United States as a Christian nation, Duncan, who is running for election to the Senate to represent Texas, called the Hindu deity Hanuman a ‘false god’.

What did he say?

“Why are we allowing a false statue of a false Hindu God to be here in Texas? We are a CHRISTIAN nation!” he wrote on X.

Why are we allowing a false statue of a false Hindu God to be here in Texas? We are a CHRISTIAN nation!pic.twitter.com/uAPJegLie0

— Alexander Duncan (@AlexDuncanTX) September 20, 2025

The leader of President Donald Trump’s party followed it up with another post, quoting the Bible. “’You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.’ Exodus 20:3-4”, he said.

“’They traded the truth about God for a lie. So, they worshipped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.’ Romans 1:25,” the Republican leader added.
Response to the remarksThe comments sparked fury on social media. Calling it ‘anti-Hindu and inflammatory’, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) reported the incident to the Republican Party in Texas.

“Hello @TexasGOP, will you be disciplining your senate candidate from your party who openly contravenes your own guidelines against discrimination, displaying some pretty sordid anti-Hindu hate-not to mention disrespect for the 1st Amendment’s Establishment Clause?” the group posted.

Hello @Texasgopwill you be disciplining your senate candidate from your party who openly contravenes your own guidelines against discrimination—displaying some pretty sordid anti-Hindu hate—not to mention disrespect for the 1st Amendment’s Establishment Clause? pic.twitter.com/oqZkZozUBR

— Hindu American Foundation (@Hindumerican) September 22, 2025

Numerous social media users on X also criticised Duncan, reminding him that the US Constitution guarantees religious freedom.

“Just because you’re not Hindu doesn’t make it false. The Vedas were written almost 2000 years before Jesus walked the earth and are extraordinary texts. And there’s obvious influences on Christianity…so it would be wise to honour and research the ‘religion’ that predates and influences yours,” a user wrote.

“We are a nation full of people who hold different religious beliefs. It’s called freedom of religion. If the followers of a religion are not harming or oppressing others, then their religion is protected under our US Constitution,” another added.

About the ‘Statue of Union’

The 90-foot statue, inaugurated in August 2024, is one of the tallest statues of Lord Hanuman in the US. It is located at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, Texas. It was named the ‘Statue of Union’ to symbolise Lord Hanuman’s role in reuniting Sri Rama and Sita.