NEW DELHI: A giant effigy of US President Donald Trump was paraded through the streets of Nagpur on Saturday as part of the Marbat festival, with locals using the celebration to protest against the 50% tariffs recently imposed on Indian imports.Visuals from the procession showed residents chanting slogans, holding placards and wheeling the towering Trump figure through the city. “Tariff lagakar humein jo daraye, Bharat ki takat usse rulaye (Those who try to intimidate us with tariffs, India’s strength will make them weep),” read one placard. Another protester said, “The tariffs imposed on our goods will only ruin their business.”Some participants carried placards accusing Washington of hypocrisy, one of which read, “American uncle imposes restrictions on India, yet ends up taking Russian products itself.”The effigy, built with clay and hay, wore a dark red suit, white shirt and yellow tie, and was decorated with marigold garlands and posters. At one point, it was spun in circles and brought face to face with another effigy, drawing cheers from the crowd.The Marbat festival, which dates back to the late 1800s, is an annual Nagpur tradition where locals parade effigies to symbolically drive out evil and highlight contemporary political, social and economic issues. Over time, it has evolved into a blend of protest, satire and entertainment.Trump announced a 25% reciprocal tariff against India in early August after trade talks failed, followed by another 25% levy to be enforced later this month over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil during the Ukraine war. India has strongly opposed the measures, calling them “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” while signalling it will maintain energy ties with Moscow.“If you have a problem with India buying oil or refined products from Russia, don’t buy from us. Nobody forces you. Europe buys, America buys, so if you don’t like it, don’t buy it,” India responded.(With inputs from agencies)
