Why Trump is presented as a demon at Durga Puja

A scene in the Indian state of West Bengal where former US President Donald Trump is presented as a ‘demon’ at a Durga Puja pavilion is now the focus of discussion. Goddess Durga is sitting on the back of a lion, holding weapons given by the gods, and her target is the demon—whose face, build and golden hair are similar to Trump. The demon-like sculpture was unveiled in Murshidabad last week. Sanjay Basak, a member of the organizing committee, said that this is not just a work of art, but a symbolic protest—where Trump is shown as a symbol of ‘evil forces’. In his words, “India and the US had good relations before. But since Trump came to power, he has been trying to suppress India, trying to bring us down. That is why he has been shown as a demon, who has been defeated by the powerful mother Durga.”

Durga Puja is not just a religious festival—it is one of the biggest means of Bengali art, culture, and social reflection. Every year, various pavilions in West Bengal highlight contemporary events, social crises, or symbols of international politics. In 2020, Chinese President Xi Jinping was shown as a ‘demon’ in one pavilion, when the India-China border conflict intensified. This time, Trump has been presented as a demon in the same vein. Bengali cultural analyst Sushovan Sircar said, “Just as Osama bin Laden was a popular topic of discussion after 9/11, Trump has now become a controversial figure in international politics. That reflection is visible in the Durga Puja pavilion.”

In 2019, Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were seen together at the ‘Howdy Modi!’ rally at Houston’s NRG Stadium. 50,000 people then erupted in excitement around the two leaders. The following year, a similar event was held in Gujarat under the name ‘Namaste Trump’. However, during his second term, relations between Trump and New Delhi began to strain. High tariffs of up to 50% were imposed on Indian goods, Trump called the Indian economy a ‘dead’ economy, and the United States began to publicly condemn and pressure India for buying oil from Russia after the Ukraine war. At one point, a White House official even described Russia’s war as ‘Modi’s war’. India rejected these comments as “wrong and misleading.”

Last September, the Trump administration suddenly announced that the popular H-1B visa fee for foreigners wishing to work in the United States would be increased to $100,000. Many called it a direct ‘personal attack’ on Indians, as Indian citizens were the biggest beneficiaries of the program. “This pavilion is not just religious art; it is a political message. By presenting Trump as a demon, it is being said that his policies, use of power and international behavior have now taken the form of evil forces.” He added, “In Bengali culture, art and politics are not separate. Showing Trump as a demon is a symbol of Goddess Durga’s fight against modern-day injustice.”

The organizers of the pavilion said that this creative work was prepared in complete secrecy for three months. Their main objective was to create curiosity and attraction before the unveiling. Sanjay Basak said, “We want people to think, to discuss. Goddess Durga has always been a symbol of the fight against injustice—that symbol is still present today.” This symbolic artwork from Durga Puja in West Bengal, India, is now the subject of international discussion. Some call it a manifestation of courageous artistry, while others criticize it as a political debate. But one thing is clear—this time, the battle between Maa Durga and the demon is not just mythical, but a reflection of a new cultural resistance against the power, principles, and injustice of the real world.