The president of the Nevada-based Universal Society of Hinduism said Tuesday that a formal request for a Lord Hanuman statue has been received by the state Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission.
Rajan Zed, who filed a similar request earlier this year that was denied based on improper procedure, said in a statement that the statue on state Capitol grounds would "be constructed, designed and paid for by private funds at no expense to the state."
Chief Deputy Secretary of State Kelly Boyd said in a statement to Zed: "Upon determination by either Secretary of State [Mark] Martin in his capacity as chairman of the commission, or alternatively by four members of the commission, a meeting may be convened to discuss proposed monuments to be placed upon the grounds."
The Hindu group announced its intentions to request the Lord Hanuman statue in July.
The latest formal request for a Hindu statue comes after a request in September for a Satanic Temple statue on the grounds, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.
It also follows Gov. Asa Hutchinson signing into law in April legislation that allows a privately funded Ten Commandments monument to be placed on state Capitol grounds.