A screengrab from the viral video. (X)
New Delhi: A recently unveiled 90-foot-tall statue of Lord Hanuman at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, Texas, has become a landmark, symbolizing a new cultural and spiritual milestone in the United States. The statue, the tallest of its kind in Texas and the third tallest in the US has drawn both admiration and controversy. While many view it as a powerful representation of the Hindu faith and tradition, others have expressed strong opposition.
A group of about 25 churchgoers recently staged a protest against the Hanuman statue, led by Pastor Greg Gervais. In a video that has gone viral on social media, Gervais refers to Hanuman as a "demon god," sparking outrage among the Hindu community.
"Initially, we thought they were here to appreciate the statue, having possibly learned about it online. No one confronted them at first," said Dr. Ranganath Kandala, joint secretary of the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple, in an interview with the Houston Chronicle.
Watch the video here:
A local church group entered temple property to "protest" the recently built Hanuman idol in Texas on Sunday.
— Journalist V (@OnTheNewsBeat) August 27, 2024
About 15-20 of protestors were uttering some demonic curses praying for the downfall of "non-believers" and proselytizing on temple grounds harassing temple goers… pic.twitter.com/F8TtdrwNNL
The video shows the group praying and walking in a counterclockwise direction around the statue, a gesture interpreted as disrespectful in Hindu tradition. Some protesters approached the temple, declaring that "Jesus is the only true god." The situation escalated when protesters were heard chanting, "May all the false gods burn to the ground."
Dr. Kandala, who tried to engage with the protesters, stated, "I told them, 'Our teachings say worship your own but respect all. I respect your God, and I expect you to respect us.'" He added that some temple visitors felt intruded upon and responded by questioning the protesters' knowledge of Hindu scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita and the Vedas. Fortunately, the situation did not escalate further.
Pastor Gervais defended the actions of his group, stating, "We believe that Jesus is the only way and that the statue represents a false idol with spiritual implications. However, this doesn’t mean we’re not peaceable with everyone."
The 'Statue of Union,' as it is named, stands as a monumental achievement, marking the tallest Hanuman statue outside of India and becoming a significant symbol in Texas. The bronze sculpture is now the third tallest in the US, following the Statue of Liberty and the Pegasus and Dragon statue in Florida.
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