Texas: A controversy has erupted over a 90-foot-tall statue of Lord Hanuman in Texas, USA. The matter came to light after a social media post by American YouTuber Jesse Hughes. Hughes shared a photo of the Hanuman statue located in Sugar Land, Texas.
This statue is known as the ‘Statue of the Union’ and is installed within the Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple complex in Sugar Land. The statue’s consecration ceremony was held in August 2024.
Controversy over YouTuber’s post
Jesse Hughes posted a photo of the statue on X and wrote, “Btw, when we win, we are tearing this down.” However, he did not clarify what he meant by “when we win.”
After the post surfaced, people on social media raised questions about this statement. Many users objected to the removal of the religious statue.
Hindu organizations express outrage
Ruchir Bakshi, a former US Army soldier and self-identifying Hindu-American, criticized Hughes’s remarks. He said that the removal of a statue associated with a Hindu religious site should be taken seriously.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) also criticized Hughes’s remarks and objected to such rhetoric against the Hindu community.
Debate erupts on social media
Hughes’ post has sparked a debate on social media. The controversy has also sparked debate in the US about religious freedom, Hindu religious sites, and political rhetoric on public platforms.