A Texas-based conservative activist has sparked widespread backlash after posting a video of a massive Lord Hanuman statue at a Hindu temple and portraying it as evidence of an immigrant “invasion,” triggering renewed debate over religious freedom and multiculturalism in the United States.
Carlos Turcios, a political commentator associated with the MAGA movement, shared footage of the 90-foot Panchaloha Abhaya Hanuman statue located at the Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, near Houston. In his post, he questioned why such a monument existed in the United States and claimed that immigrants from “third-world” countries were gradually taking over America. His remarks quickly circulated online, drawing sharp criticism from social media users and community groups.
The statue, unveiled in August 2024, is recognised as the tallest Hanuman statue in North America and forms part of a larger temple complex funded through private donations from the Hindu community. Temple representatives and supporters said the structure reflects the cultural and religious identity of Hindu Americans and emphasised that the site remains open to people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Community members rejected attempts to frame the monument in political terms, noting that large religious symbols are common across the United States, including prominent churches, crosses, synagogues and Buddhist temples. Supporters argued that such constructions represent constitutionally protected expressions of faith and illustrate the country’s long tradition of religious pluralism rather than demographic or political change.
The controversy also drew renewed attention to Turcios’ earlier online posts in which he criticised immigration and specifically targeted Indian and Muslim communities in Texas. In previous messages, he had complained about Indian professionals working on H-1B visas and warned about what he described as growing foreign cultural influence, frequently repeating calls to “stop the invasion.”
Turcios, a Latino conservative activist based in North Texas, gained visibility through campaigns opposing Critical Race Theory, organising pro-police demonstrations and promoting Republican political figures. His comments about the Hanuman statue prompted strong pushback, particularly from Indian-American users and civil rights advocates, who argued that religious expression and immigrant participation are integral parts of American society and protected under the country’s constitutional framework.
