Controversy in Texas Over 90-Foot Hanuman Statue Sparks Debate Among Indian-Americans

A controversy has erupted in Texas over a 90-foot statue of Lord Hanuman, located in a city with a sizeable Indian population of around six lakh. The uproar began after Alexander Duncan, a Republican politician and 2026 US Senate candidate from Texas, publicly criticized the statue. Posting a video of the statue on his social media account X, Duncan questioned, “Why would we have a statue of a false Hindu god in Texas? We are a Christian nation.” He also cited the Bible in a follow-up post, writing, “You have no other God but me.” His statements drew widespread criticism, with the Hindu American Foundation calling them anti-Hindu and inflammatory.

Alexander Duncan was born in Valencia, California, and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Irvine, and a master’s degree from Northeastern University. He served as a police officer for 13 years, and according to his campaign website, “witnessed the rise of radical policies and the deterioration of law and order.” Duncan later converted to Christianity and has become a staunch advocate of his faith, frequently posting Bible verses online and urging followers to embrace Christianity.

Duncan moved from California to Texas, citing concerns about raising his children in a state that he perceives as rejecting God. He has openly criticized California’s policies as radical and left-leaning, while praising Texas for upholding faith, freedom, and constitutional values. Politically, he promotes conservative ideologies, vowing to secure US borders, defend the Second Amendment, and restore American energy independence. His recent remarks regarding the Hanuman statue have reignited discussions about religious diversity, freedom of expression, and the role of cultural symbols in the US, especially in regions with growing Indian-American communities.