The Hindu American Foundation took a strong objection to the recent comments of Republican leader Alexander Duncan on the ‘Statue of Union’, a 90-ft statue of Hanuman in Texas. The comment came amid the H-1B row after the administration announced $100K fee for H-1B visas. Though H-1B visa programs allow entry of skilled foreigners, India has been a large contributor to the visa program. Hence, the H-1B row opened floodgates of anti-India and anti-Hindu comments on social media platforms. Sharing a video of the third-tallest statue in the United States, Duncan wrote: “Why are we allowing a false statue of a false Hindu God to be here in Texas? We are a CHRISTIAN nation!”“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 Hindu American Foundation posted.The Statue of Union, located at Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, Texas, was unveiled in 2024. Envisioned by Sri Chennajeeyar Swami, this is the tallest statue of Lord Hanuman in North America.The post from Duncan, GOP candidate for the Texas senate, triggered similar hate comments calling for the toppling of the statue. Several social media users chastised Duncan and schooled him about America’s freedom of religion. “You fight for the American Constitution, but don’t even have a basic clue of what it says about Religious Freedom!” One wrote. “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 honor and research the ‘religion’ that predates and influences yours,” another wrote.
