Didn't wear uniform for this: Hindu US army veteran on Texas Hanuman statue row
Amid a controversy over a YouTuber's call to remove a 90-foot statue of Lord Hanuman in Texas, a Hindu-American US Army veteran, in a sharp clapback, asserted that he didn't go to war for a country that "comes after his religion". Ruchir Bakshi, who has served in combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, asserted that the provocative remarks were not only unpatriotic but also a "threat against Hinduism".
Bakshi's outburst came after Jesse Hughes, a conservative YouTuber, shared a photo of the Hanuman statue with the caption, "When we win, we are tearing this down". However, Hughes did not specify what he meant by "when we win", even though Texas is a Republican state. The remarks are being seen in the context of the upcoming US midterm elections, which will determine which party controls Congress.
"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 are coming for my religion," Bakshi tweeted.
The 90-foot Hanuman statue, installed at the Asthalaxmi Temple in Sugar Land, Texas, has been at the centre of a controversy ever since it was unveiled in August 2024. Named the 'Statue of Union', it is the third-tallest statue in the US. However, it faced backlash from MAGA influencers and a section of Christian conservatives, who have dubbed it a "demon god" and even a "false Hindu God".
The statue has now been targeted again, triggering a fresh wave of anti-Hindu hate on social media.
Reacting sharply to the nonstop hate mongering against Hindus, Bakshi emphasised that talking about vandalising or destroying a place of worship was not an act of patriotism.
The US Army veteran argued that people worshipping at Hindu temples pay taxes, run businesses and send their children to serve in the "same Army I served in".
"I served with Christians, Jews, Muslims, atheists, and other Hindus. Nobody pulled rank on God before we went outside the wire," Bakshi said, adding that some of the people he served with "never came home".
"None of them died so you could fantasise about ravaging someone else's faith," he further said.
A Republican-turned-Democrat, Bakshi fiercely rejected the idea that destroying or tearing down a Hindu place of worship could ever be justified as a political victory.
"It is a threat against Hinduism itself to vandalise another American community's house of worship because you hate the faith inside it," he said.
"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," Bakshi further stressed.
While Bakshi's comments also drew criticism, he got support from the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) and Carl Wheless, a US Army veteran. "We share your horror at the open religious bigotry... and are proud to fight it alongside you," CoHNA said in a post on X.ROW AHEAD OF US MIDTERM ELECTIONS
The controversy comes amid heightened political activity in the US ahead of the midterm elections and has stirred a wider debate online over religious freedom. Additionally, the anti-immigrant narrative has also been a recurring theme in campaigns.
Republicans have traditionally held sway over Texas, home to more than five lakh Indian-Americans. In fact, Texas hasn't elected a Democrat to any office since 1994.
However, the Democrats are hoping to upset the Republican applecart in the Senate elections this November.
Latest surveys point to Democratic nominee James Talarico having an edge against Donald Trump-backed Republican nominee Ken Paxton. However, for the post of Texas governor, incumbent Republican Greg Abbott is likely to retain the seat, surveys have forecast.- EndsPublished By: Abhishek DePublished On: Sep 22, 2026 13:43 IST
