A 90-foot statue of Lord Hanuman has sparked political controversy after comments by Texas Republican activist Carlos Turcios. The statue, known as the 'Statue of Union,' stands at the Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land. It was unveiled in August 2024.
Turcios, a MAGA (Make America Great Again) activist from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, posted a video of the statue on X. He questioned why such a monument exists in Texas. He wrote that "third world aliens" are taking over America and urged people to "stop the invasion." His remarks quickly drew backlash online.
Who is Carlos Turcios?
Carlos Turcios is known as a Republican leader and MAGA activist based in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. He is active on social media and often posts on immigration and cultural issues. In his recent post, he compared Sugar Land to cities like Islamabad and New Delhi, questioning the presence of a large Hindu statue in the US.
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His comments triggered criticism from Indian-American users and others who accused him of targeting religious minorities. Many said the statue reflects faith and cultural identity, not politics.
🚨SUGAR LAND, TEXAS🚨This is not Islamabad, Pakistan, or New Delhi, India. This is Sugar Land, Texas. Third World Aliens are slowly taking over Texas and America. Why is the third-largest statue in the US this??!
— Carlos Turcios (@Carlos__Turcios) February 16, 2026
Stop the INVASION!
Follow:@Carlos__Turcios pic.twitter.com/hzNIunlyQ4
Temple responds, online debate grows
The Panchaloha Abhaya Hanuman statue is the tallest Hanuman statue in North America and among the tallest Hindu monuments in the US. Temple officials say it was envisioned by Sri Chinnajeeyar Swamiji. They describe it as a symbol of strength, devotion, and peace, Moneycontrol reported.
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Members associated with the temple said the structure was funded through private donations. It stands on privately owned land and is open to visitors of all backgrounds. Supporters compared it to churches, crosses, and Buddhist temples across America, calling it a sign of religious freedom.
Online, users defended the monument as a constitutionally protected religious expression. Some cited data on assimilation, noting that Indian-American households rank high in English usage, as per Moneycontrol.
