By: IndoUS News Desk

Members of the Hindu American community in Sugar Land are calling for greater security and a response from authorities after a conservative political activist posted a message appearing to call for the demolition of a 90-foot statue of Lord Hanuman at a local temple.

Jesse Hughes, a conservative activist and YouTuber, posted an image of the Statue of Union at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple on X with the caption, “When we win, we’re tearing this down.” The post has drawn condemnation from local Hindu community members, who say it has heightened concerns about the safety of worshippers and the temple.

The monument, unveiled in 2024, has previously attracted criticism from some conservative and Christian groups. It stands on temple property and has become a prominent Hindu landmark in the Houston-area community.

Speaking to the IndoUS Tribune, worshippers and community leaders said the remarks have caused renewed anxiety, particularly among families who regularly visit the temple. Some said they are concerned about the possibility that online rhetoric could lead to harassment or threats against the temple or its visitors.

The controversy has also prompted a response from Ruchir Bakshi, an Indian American U.S. Army combat veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Bakshi criticized the remarks as an attack on religious freedom and said his military service included fighting alongside Americans of different faiths.

Community leaders are urging local and federal authorities to assess the post and determine whether any laws have been violated. They also emphasized that Hindu Americans should be able to worship without intimidation.

“We are not going to be intimidated into hiding our faith,” one community organizer told the IndoUS Tribune. “We expect the same protections for our sacred spaces that are afforded to every other house of worship.”