Religious Freedom
'When we win, we're tearing this down': MAGA activist's threat to 90-foot Hanuman statue in US sparks backlash
Washington DC/IBNS: A social media post by YouTuber and MAGA activist Jesse Hughes calling for the removal of a 90-foot statue of Lord Hanuman in Texas has sparked a backlash among Hindu Americans and others who have criticised the remarks as a threat to religious freedom.
The controversy centres on the Statue of Union, a 90-foot statue of Lord Hanuman at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, Texas.
The statue was unveiled in August 2024 and is described by the temple as the tallest statue of Lord Hanuman in North America.
Jesse Hughes calls for statue to be torn down
Hughes shared a photograph of the statue on X and wrote, "Btw, when we win, we are tearing this down."
His post did not specify what he meant by "when we win".
The remark has nevertheless triggered criticism online, with the controversy emerging ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections.
The statue has become a prominent Hindu landmark in the Houston area and stands within the premises of the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple.
Btw, when we win, we are tearing this down. pic.twitter.com/KnDOnuAGP5
— Jesse Hughes (@JesseHughesNC) September 20, 2026
US Army veteran Ruchir Bakshi hits back
US Army veteran Ruchir Bakshi criticised Hughes' remarks, arguing that targeting a Hindu place of worship was incompatible with religious freedom in the United States.
Bakshi wrote on social media, "If winning in America means demolishing Hindu temples, you don’t want the country I fought for. You just want a license to go after people who aren’t you. America is not your theocracy."
He added, "Religious liberty does not expire for Hindus when you decide you’ve won. You don’t get to tear anything down. Not legally. Not morally. Not in the country for which I actually sacrificed."
Bakshi's comments have received support from other voices, including the Coalition of Hindus of North America, amid the wider debate over anti-Hindu rhetoric and religious freedom.
I’m a U.S. Army combat veteran and a Hindu American. I didn’t put on that uniform, leave my family, and go to war so some third-rate talk show guy could announce that when his side “wins,” they’re coming for my religion.
— Ruchir Bakshi (@RuchirBakshi) September 20, 2026
I served with Christians, Jews, Muslims, atheists, and… https://t.co/BbfDvMpYRK
What is the Statue of Union?
The Statue of Union is a 90-foot, 90-ton monument depicting Lord Hanuman. It was envisioned by spiritual leader Chinna Jeeyar Swami and consecrated at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in August 2024.
According to the official website, the statue represents Lord Hanuman's role in reuniting Lord Rama and Sita and is intended to symbolise strength, devotion and selfless service.
Debate over religious freedom
The controversy has brought renewed attention to questions surrounding religious freedom and the treatment of Hindu religious institutions in the United States.
Hughes' remarks and the subsequent backlash come at a time of heightened political activity ahead of the US midterm elections. The post has prompted debate among Indian-American and Hindu groups over whether political rhetoric is increasingly spilling into discussions surrounding religious identity and places of worship.
The broader allegations of anti-Hindu sentiment and their connection to political campaigns remain subjects of public debate and should be distinguished from Hughes' specific statement.
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