Durga Puja in Kolkata contains a clay-idol from Donald Trump as Mahishasura, which symbolizes ‘evil forces’, amid rising US Indian trade tensions and new rates on Indian goods. Donald Trump is portrayed as Mahishasura in Kolkata Durga Puja. (X) Durga Puja in Kolkata is more than a religious festival – the celebration turns the city into a large canvas of art and tradition. Again, a glittering display of dedication and creativity is here. The city comes alive with countless pandals, where architecture and creativity weave unique stories. Among them, the outstanding themes of this year contain a clay model that looks like US President Donald Trump. Why is Donald Trump portrayed as Mahishasura? A Puja Committee in Berhampore has produced a clay model that looks like Donald Trump as Mahishasura -a demon king in Hindu mitology. Residents flocked to see the unusual idol, which quickly became viral online, while the goddess Durga and other gods remain in traditional style. The secretary of the Puja Committee, who spoke to Deccan Chronicle, explained the importance behind the pandal. He said Trump was portrayed as Mahishasura as he symbolized the ‘evil forces’ and linked it to the ongoing tariff row. The Trump administration expanded the tariff net and announced 100% rates on brand and patented pharmaceutical products, which will come into effect from 1 October. The focus on pharmaceutical products and large trucks comes amid 50% rates on all goods imported from India, above the existing 10% base import tax on any goods imported in the United States. What did the Puja Committee say about the idol? Raju Thakur, secretary of the Puja Committee, said with Deccan Chronicle: “This year we will take up our 60th anniversary Puja and decide to make Donald Trump as Mahishasura, while symbolizing the evil powers. He led an illegal trade and tariff war against our country.” He further added: “Due to Donald Trump’s stubborn and irresponsible trade war, our country’s traders and business people faced financial problems. So we protested symbolically by portraying him as the evil demon.” Did the clay modeler agree with the comparison? However, the clay model, Ashim Pal, rejected the equation. He set aside the claim of the Puja Committee and said, “It’s nothing but a coincidence!” How else does pandal dislike symbolism? In another pandal, the British crown was creatively portrayed as Mahishasura, which attracted attention to his symbolic representation of historical oppression. When will Durga Puja 2025 take place? Durga Puja will begin on September 29 (Saptami) and conclude on October 2 (Vijaya Dashami), with Idol submission in various places that were later scheduled. Can rain affect the celebrations this year? The India Meteorological Department (IMD) called on the West Bengal to the five-day Durga Puja festival. The celebrations may experience interruptions due to heavy rainfall. The IMD has warned that a new low-pressure area is likely to form over the bay of Bengal on October 1, which will bring rain over many districts the following week, including isolated landfills in South Bengals.
Trump like Mahishasura – ‘Evil Demon’ pulls Pandal hoppers in Kolkata. Does it have a link with tariff row?
