International News : A major controversy has arisen over the 90-foot statue of Lord Hanuman erected in Sugar Land, Texas, USA. Republican leader Alexander Duncan opposed the statue, calling it a “statue of a false god.” This has caused intense dissatisfaction among the Hindu community and various religious groups.
Reference to “false god”
The “Statue of Union” erected in the premises of the Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple is considered the tallest statue of Hanuman in North America. While sharing the video of the statue, Duncan wrote, “Why are we erecting a false statue of a Hindu god in Texas? America is a Christian nation.”
Not only that, but they also quoted some passages from the Bible to oppose idol worship. They published the excerpt from Exodus 20:3-4 as “You must not have any other god but me...” and the excerpt from Romans 1:25 as “They traded the truth about God for a lie...”.
Response from the Hindu American Foundation
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) reacted strongly to Duncan's statement. They called the statement “anti-Hindu and inflammatory” and filed a formal complaint with the Texas Republican Party.
“Our party's candidate has openly spread religious hatred. This is against our own anti-discrimination rules and also against the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution,” the foundation stated.
Citizens' Anger
Duncan's statement is also facing massive criticism from netizens. Many reminded of the “right to freedom of religion” given by the American Constitution.
One user wrote, “Just because you are not Hindu, it doesn't make it a false god. The Vedas were written 2000 years before Jesus, and their thoughts are still unique today.”
Another user said, “America is a country of diverse religions. As long as a religion does not harm others, it is protected under the American Constitution.”
About the 'Statue of Union'
This statue was erected from the concept of Shri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji and was unveiled on August 18, 2024. This 90-foot statue of Hanuman is considered the tallest in North America. The statue is named the 'Statue of Union' as a symbol of Hanuman's role in reuniting Ram and Sita. The statue conveys a message of devotion, service, and unity, and it is expected to become a spiritual center for future generations.