Why was Trump depicted as demon slain in India’s Hindu festival

ISLAMABAD: A surprising depiction at this year’s Hindu festival of Durga Puja in India has sparked debate after an idol installation in West Bengal portrayed US President Donald Trump as a demon being slain by goddess Durga.

The Durga Puja festival, which traditionally celebrates the victory of good over evil, features the goddess Durga slaying the demon Mahishasura. However, this time, the demon’s face was modeled after Trump — complete with his signature blond hair and distinct features — in what many saw as a striking act of political satire.

Videos and images from the event showed Durga, seated atop her lion, wielding celestial weapons in her ten hands, confronting a Trump-like demon figure. The installation quickly drew public attention and sparked discussions across social media.

Organizers said the depiction symbolized a broader reflection on strained US-India relations during Trump’s presidency. The tension reportedly stemmed from his administration’s imposition of 25 per cent tariffs on Indian imports and diplomatic friction following a short-lived escalation between India and Pakistan, after which Trump brokered a ceasefire.

Sanjay Basak, a member of the Durga Puja committee in Murshidabad, explained the inspiration behind the design, saying that “India and America had good relations previously, but ever since Trump came, he’s tried to suppress India — to push us over”. “That’s why we’ve depicted him as this demon, vanquished by the powerful mother Durga,” he added.

Observers note that the installation represents how cultural art forms in India increasingly serve as commentary on global politics. While some saw the depiction as humorous or symbolic, others criticized it as disrespectful or politically motivated.

The five-day Durga Puja celebrations transformed entire neighborhoods into sprawling art exhibitions, with organizers using the mythological battle between goddess and demon to channel contemporary anxieties and global themes.

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