A shocking case of idol vandalism has emerged from Nadia district in West Bengal, where around 70-80 idols of Goddess Saraswati and Maa Kali were found destroyed on 7th January. The idols, crafted over weeks by local sculptor Jayanta Das, were discovered smashed outside his workshop near Loknath Temple in Shantipur, triggering outrage among devotees and residents.
Residents noticed the destruction early in the morning when broken idols were seen lying outside the workshop. The idols were meant for the upcoming Saraswati Puja on January 23, and Kali Puja on January 21, and the incident has caused anguish among devotees and artisans. For traditional idol makers, festival seasons are crucial for their livelihood, and such acts cause severe financial and emotional distress.
ANOTHER BRUTAL ASSAULT ON SANATAN DHARMA IN MAMATA’S JUNGLE RAJ!
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) January 7, 2026
Around 50–60 Kali and Saraswati idols, painstakingly crafted by potter Jayanta Das, were viciously vandalised outside his workshop, in front of Loknath Temple near Matal Garh, Shantipur.
The miscreants struck in… pic.twitter.com/wsGgMajq2h
The incident gained wider attention after Amit Malviya, BJP IT cell chief, shared details on the social media platform X, calling it another instance of attacks on Hindu religious symbols under the rule of the Trinamool Congress.
As per reports, the vandalism was done by a local youth named Amit Dey. CCTV footage shows him committing the crime in a drunken state. His brother Asit Dey was also seen for a while at the scene in the videos.
Reportedly, when Jayanta Das was making the idols the previous night, Amit Dey arrived drunk and tried to fight with him. However, since there was a puja at the sculptor’s home, Das asked him to leave the workshop, telling him to return the next day to receive prasad from his home.
Accordingly, Dey left the place, and Das also left after closing the workshop after some time. However, all the idols he had made and was making were found broken in the morning.
Accused Amit Dey has been detained by police after his involvement in the crime came to light. The exact reason for his fight with the sculptor is not known yet.
Pattern of idol destruction raises alarm
The Shantipur vandalism is not an isolated incident. In recent months, a Maa Kali idol was reportedly found beheaded in Sarshuna, while a Jagaddhatri idol was damaged in Mandirbazar. The repeated targeting of Hindu idols has created anger and fear among devotees, who claim that such incidents continue without decisive action.
A similar case was reported from Purba Medinipur district, where idols of Goddess Saraswati made by local artisans were damaged in the Kathal Patti area of Mahishadal’s Garkamalpur. Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said such repeated incidents are causing heavy financial losses on idol makers and hurting religious sentiments. He demanded swift action against those responsible.
