### Dussehra Fire and Fury: Donald Trump's Effigy Torched in Punjab's Ferozepur Amid Global Trade Tensions
On October 2, 2025—Vijayadashami, the triumphant finale of Navratri—India erupted in a blaze of tradition and symbolism as communities across the nation burned effigies of Ravana to herald good's victory over evil. But in Punjab's Ferozepur district, the flames took a pointedly international turn: Activists from the Swadeshi Jagran Manch torched a towering 10-foot effigy of US President Donald Trump, channeling Dussehra's ritual into a fiery rebuke of America's escalating trade aggressions.
#### A Symbolic Burn: From Ravana to the 'Orange Menace'
The event unfolded amid Ferozepur's vibrant Dussehra celebrations, where locals typically parade and incinerate massive Ravana figures stuffed with firecrackers. This year, however, Trump's likeness—crafted with exaggerated golden hair, a red tie, and placards decrying "US Tariffs on India"—joined the procession as a stand-in for modern-day "demons" like economic bullying. Videos circulating online show the effigy being hoisted high, circled by chanting crowds, before being set ablaze in a spectacular burst of sparks and cheers, evoking the epic Ramayana showdown but with a 21st-century twist.
Organized by the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, an affiliate of the RSS-inspired Swadeshi Jagran Manch that champions economic nationalism, the protest highlighted Trump's recent executive order slapping a 50% tariff on Indian exports—retaliation for New Delhi's continued purchases of discounted Russian oil amid the Ukraine conflict. "Trump's policies are the Ravana of today—arrogant, destructive, and blind to mutual prosperity," declared local coordinator Harpreet Singh, as per eyewitness accounts. The effigy, paraded through bustling streets lined with diyas and dhol beats, drew hundreds, blending festive fervor with anti-imperialist fervor.
This isn't isolated symbolism. Just weeks ago, Nagpur's ancient Marbat Utsav saw a similar Trump effigy paraded and burned, complete with slogans like "Tariffs will ruin your business, not ours!" In Ludhiana, Shiv Sena activists echoed the act in August, torching another figure over the same tariffs. Even earlier protests in New Delhi targeted Trump's migration crackdowns, with effigies lit in solidarity with deported Indian workers. As one X user quipped amid viral clips, "Dussehra special: Burning calories and tariffs alike!"—sparking memes of Trump as "orange-haired Ravana."
#### The Backdrop: Trade Wars Heat Up on Festival Eve
The tariffs, hiked from 25% to 50% on August 6, 2025, have jolted India's $250 billion IT and manufacturing sectors, already reeling from global supply chain snarls. Critics in Punjab—a hub for agro-exports hit hard by the levies—see it as hypocritical: The US imports Russian goods via loopholes while punishing India's energy pragmatism. PM Modi's government, fresh off Gandhi Jayanti tributes to non-violence, has responded with diplomatic restraint but firm warnings, hinting at reciprocal duties on American tech and pharma.
Ferozepur's burn adds a cultural layer to this economic skirmish. Dussehra, rooted in Lord Rama's victory, has long evolved into a canvas for dissent—from colonial-era anti-British effigies to modern jabs at corruption. In a year of Trump's re-election buzz and US midterm tariffs, Trump's inclusion feels like poetic justice: A man who once called India a "tariff king" now cast as the villain in its festivals.
#### Ripples and Reactions: From Streets to Social Media
Footage of the Ferozepur blaze exploded online, racking up millions of views on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, with hashtags #BurnTheTariffs and #DussehraVsTrump trending regionally. Bollywood's Kangana Ranaut amplified it with a tweet: "When culture meets courage—happy Vijayadashami to global bullies!" Supporters hailed it as "swadeshi spirit alive," while detractors called it "childish theatrics" that could sour Indo-US ties.
Globally, it's sparked chuckles and concern. US outlets like CNN reposted clips from earlier protests, framing it as "India's fiery retort." As Dussehra's message echoes—good prevails—Ferozepur's flames remind us: In 2025's interconnected world, even ancient rituals can go viral against modern tyrants.
What a way to cap Navratri: Not just evil defeated, but export duties singed. Will Trump tweet back? Only time (and tariffs) will tell. Share your take—festive protest or festival faux pas?
