Durga Puja Pandal Stirs Controversy with Donald Trump Depiction as 'Asura' Over Trade Disputes

In a striking and highly unusual move, a Durga Puja pandal in Habra, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, has ignited widespread discussion by choosing to depict US President Donald Trump as the demon king Asura. This provocative artistic statement, unveiled ahead of the grand festivities, aims to highlight what the organizers perceive as the United States' 'trade betrayal' against India.

The Sree Yuvak Brindo club in Habra is behind this controversial installation, where the traditional effigy of Mahishasura, typically slain by Goddess Durga, has been replaced by a figure bearing a striking resemblance to President Trump.

The organizers explicitly stated that their theme for this year's Durga Puja revolves around 'trade betrayal' and the recent tariff disputes that have strained India-US relations.

Surajit Chatterjee, the secretary of the Sree Yuvak Brindo club, articulated the pandal's message, stating, 'We wanted to send a message by depicting Donald Trump as the Asura.

America, under President Trump, has committed a trade betrayal against India by imposing tariffs on our goods and revoking our preferential trade status.' This artistic interpretation transforms a global political issue into a dramatic religious narrative.

Durga Puja pandals in West Bengal are renowned not just for their grandeur but also for their potent social and political commentary.

In previous years, these temporary art installations have creatively addressed contemporary issues ranging from demonetisation and the Pulwama attack to the implementation of GST. The depiction of Trump as Asura continues this tradition of using the festival as a platform for public expression and critique.

The initiative also carries local political weight, as the club is patronized by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and state minister Jyoti Priya Mallick.

When asked about the depiction, Mallick maintained a stance of non-interference, stating that it was entirely the club's decision and he had no objection to their artistic freedom.

However, the portrayal has not been met without criticism. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal strongly condemned the act, labeling it 'derogatory' and disrespectful to the head of a state with whom India shares crucial diplomatic ties.

This highlights the delicate balance between artistic freedom, political commentary, and international relations that such a depiction inevitably brings to the fore.

As the Durga Puja festivities draw closer, the Habra pandal's audacious statement promises to remain a focal point of discussion, not only for its artistic merit but for its bold and timely commentary on current geopolitical dynamics, interpreted through the powerful lens of traditional Indian mythology.