Austin, Texas, USA: Texas Republican Party Chair Abraham George is facing widespread criticism after voicing support for the theological stance of a GOP candidate who had labelled Hindu deities as “false gods.”
The controversy began when Alexander Duncan, a Republican running for office, publicly opposed the construction of a 90-foot statue of Lord Hanuman in Sugar Land, Texas, describing it as a symbol of a “false god.”
In a post shared on Wednesday on X (formerly Twitter), George stated that he did not personally know Duncan and was not endorsing him for the upcoming primary. However, he agreed with the Christian doctrine expressed by the candidate.
“I don’t believe I’ve ever met this candidate, and he does not have my or the Party’s endorsement,” George wrote. “But as a Christian and someone raised in India in a Pentecostal preacher’s family, I agree that believers should be wary of idols and false gods. There is only one true God — Jesus Christ. The Bible clearly commands us not to worship any other gods or idols. It may not be politically correct, but I’m fine with that.”
George’s comments sparked immediate backlash from Hindu American groups, who accused him of fostering religious intolerance.
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) criticised George’s statement on X, saying:
“When we asked @TexasGOP to denounce @AlexDuncanTX’s anti-Hindu remarks regarding the Hanuman statue, we expected respect for the Constitution and the Establishment Clause. Instead, the state GOP chair chose to echo exclusionary views. This isn’t just wrong — it’s un-American.”
HAF and several interfaith organisations urged Texas GOP leaders to promote religious inclusivity and respect for all faiths, emphasising that religious freedom must also protect individuals from being demeaned for their beliefs.
Meanwhile, George’s supporters defended his right to express personal religious convictions, pointing out that he clearly stated his views were personal and not reflective of the Republican Party’s official position.
As of now, neither Abraham George nor Alexander Duncan has released any further statements regarding the controversy.
