A conservative activist, Carlos Turcios, has triggered outrage after posting a video of a towering Lord Hanuman statue at a Hindu temple and calling it evidence of an invasion by Indian immigrants. The remarks have drawn sharp criticism online and renewed debate over religious freedom and multicultural life in the United States.
The Texas-based political activist linked to the MAGA movement posted video of the 90-foot statue at the Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, near Houston, saying, “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??! Stop the INVASION!” he wrote.
The statue, called Panchaloha Abhaya Hanuman, was unveiled in August 2024 and is recognised as the tallest Hanuman statue in North America.
SUPPORTERS REJECT POLITICAL INTERPRETATION
Community members associated with the temple said the monument reflects the religious identity of Hindu Americans in the region. They stressed that the temple complex was built through private donations and is open to visitors of all backgrounds.
The installation of large religious statues is not uncommon in the US, where communities often construct prominent symbols of belief — from church spires to Buddhist temples and giant crosses — as expressions of heritage and worship. In that context, supporters argue, the Hanuman statue represents religious pluralism rather than political messaging.
EARLIER POSTS TARGET INDIANS, MUSLIMS
The controversy also drew attention to Turcios’ earlier social media posts in which he criticised immigrants, particularly Indians and Muslims in Texas. In previous messages, he complained about Indian tech workers on H-1B visas and warned of Islamic influence in American cities, again using the phrase “stop the invasion.”
In one such post, he wrote, “Frisco Residents are tired of the city government importing H-1 B workers from India when Americans can’t even afford homes or get jobs. Here, a resident calls out the fraud and abuse committed by Third-World-Aliens.”
In another, he said, “This is not Islamabad, Pakistan, or Kabul, Afghanistan. This is Houston, Texas. Islam and Sharia Law is taking over many parts of Texas and America!! Why do we have conferences for SHARIA LAW??! Stop the INVASION!.”
According to his public biography, Turcios is a Latino conservative activist and commentator based in North Texas. He rose to prominence through campaigns against Critical Race Theory and by organising pro-police rallies and conservative events. He has also promoted Republican leaders including Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.
Turcios’ remarks about the Hanuman statue prompted pushback online, especially from Indian-American voices who framed the temple as an example of constitutionally protected religious practice. Users on X argued that immigrants and faith communities have long contributed to American society and that religious monuments of many traditions exist across the country.
