Hindu idols vandalised, 70–80 Saraswati and Kali idols found destroyed in West Bengal's Shantipur
Nadia district, West Bengal, India 
7 January, 2026
Case Summary
An incident of idol vandalism was reported from Shantipur in Nadia district, West Bengal, where a large number of Hindu idols were found damaged on 7 January 2026. Around 70 to 80 idols of Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Kali, prepared by local sculptor Jayanta Das, were discovered broken outside his workshop located near the Loknath Temple. Local residents noticed the damaged idols early in the morning when broken figures were seen lying outside the workshop premises. The idols had been crafted over several weeks in preparation for Saraswati Puja scheduled on 23 January and Kali Puja on 21 January. The incident caused distress among devotees as well as artisans, for whom the festive season is a critical period for income and sustenance. According to reports, the vandalism was carried out by a local youth identified as Amit Dey. CCTV footage from the area showed him damaging the idols while in an intoxicated state. His brother, Asit Dey, was also seen at the location for a brief period in the footage. Police detained Amit Dey after his involvement emerged through the investigation. Preliminary information indicated that on the previous night, while Jayanta Das was working in his workshop, Amit Dey arrived in an intoxicated condition and attempted to argue with him. As a religious ceremony was taking place at the sculptor’s residence, Das asked him to leave and suggested that he return the next day to receive prasad. Both men subsequently left the area, and the workshop was closed for the night. The idols were found destroyed the following morning. The motive behind the vandalism is still under investigation. The incident drew wider attention after political leaders commented on it on social media. It also comes amid reports of similar occurrences in other parts of the state. In recent months, a Kali idol was damaged in Sarshuna, and a Jagaddhatri idol was vandalised in Mandirbazar. Another incident was reported from Mahishadal in Purba Medinipur district, where Saraswati idols made by local artisans were damaged in the Kathal Patti area of Garkamalpur. These repeated incidents raised concerns among artisans and devotees regarding the safety of religious property and livelihoods.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This has been added to the tracker under the category- Attack on Hindu religious representations, and within this, the sub-category selected is- Desecration of Hindu religious symbol. Icons and symbols or a religious representation of a spiritual ideal are widely revered in Hinduism. Iconography is of vital significance in the Hindu milieu. It helps connect people’s spiritual beliefs with the real world. Iconography within the Hindu faith takes several shapes and forms. Murtis are of most significance to Hindus, to which daily rituals, prayers and offerings are done. Besides the murtis, there are several other symbols which have deep significance in the Hindu faith – the Om and Swastika for example. Since these Hindu religious symbols hold paramount importance in Hinduism, any desecration of symbols, icons, murtis, religious representations and manifestations, is driven by animosity towards the faith itself which manifests itself through these murtis, icons and symbols. Therefore, any desecration of these Hindu religious symbols and representations is considered religiously motivated hate crimes under this category. This incident qualifies as a hate-driven act because it involved the deliberate destruction of Hindu religious idols, which are sacred representations central to Hindu worship and religious life. The vandalism of 70 to 80 idols of Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Kali was not merely an act of property damage but a direct attack on Hindu religious symbols and beliefs. Hindu idols are not decorative objects but consecrated embodiments of the divine, prepared through ritual processes and intended for public worship during religious festivals. Their destruction causes not only material loss to artisans but also deep religious injury to devotees, for whom such acts constitute desecration. The timing of the vandalism, shortly before Saraswati Puja and Kali Puja, further amplified the harm by disrupting religious observance and community worship. The scale of the damage and the targeting of multiple idols indicate an act that extended beyond a personal dispute with an artisan. Even if the accused acted in an intoxicated state, the outcome was the systematic destruction of Hindu religious representations, which carry symbolic meaning and collective impact irrespective of individual intent. This incident also occurs amid a series of similar cases across West Bengal where Hindu idols have been damaged, reinforcing concerns among devotees and artisans that Hindu religious symbols are being repeatedly targeted without adequate deterrence. Such recurring acts contribute to fear, insecurity, and erosion of confidence among the Hindu community. Taken together, the desecration of Hindu idols, the disruption of religious festivals, and the broader pattern of repeated damage to Hindu religious symbols establish this incident as an attack on Hindu religious identity and practice, warranting its inclusion in the tracker.
Case Status
Arrested
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Others
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
male
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