The festival of Saraswati Puja, dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu deity of knowledge, learning, music and wisdom, is traditionally celebrated with devotion, academic enthusiasm and cultural harmony across India and in Hindu minority pockets of neighbouring Bangladesh. Schools, colleges, neighbourhood committees and families come together during Basant Panchami to worship the goddess, organise cultural programmes and conduct idol immersion (Visarjan) in a peaceful and celebratory atmosphere.
However, the year 2026 has witnessed a deeply troubling trend. Across several Indian states and in parts of Bangladesh, Saraswati Puja celebrations and immersion processions were repeatedly disrupted by violence, intimidation, desecration of idols, administrative interference and targeted attacks on Hindu devotees. According to compiled reports, at least 24 separate incidents were recorded during the period surrounding Saraswati Puja in January 2026.
These incidents were not confined to one geography or one pattern of disruption. They ranged from stone-pelting, armed attacks and bomb hurling to idol desecration, forced cancellation of pujas in schools, threats to students, locking of temples and obstruction of religious processions. In some cases, mobs were involved; in others, individuals desecrated idols or disrupted sacred spaces. Alarmingly, several incidents occurred in regions with a history of communal tension, while others unfolded in educational institutions that had previously hosted Saraswati Puja without controversy.
This report presents a detailed account of all 24 incidents, spanning Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and neighbouring Bangladesh. Together, they point towards a persistent pattern of targeted hostility towards Hindu religious expression during one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the academic calendar.
BIHAR:
Muslim Mob Attacks Hindu Devotees in Vaishali
One of the most serious incidents was reported from the Navanagar area of Vaishali district, Bihar, where Hindu devotees returning from Saraswati idol immersion were attacked by a Muslim mob on 27 January 2026. The violence reportedly began after members of the Muslim community objected to the route of the immersion procession near a mosque. Heated arguments ensued, following which the procession was forced to alter its route.
While the situation appeared to calm temporarily, violence erupted again when the devotees were returning after immersion. A Hindu devotee was assaulted, and when others protested, they were attacked with sticks and swords. Stone-pelting from rooftops added to the chaos, forcing residents to flee. Several devotees sustained injuries and were rushed to the Bidupur Primary Health Centre and private nursing homes. Videos of the incident circulated widely on social media, prompting police intervention and the registration of cases against multiple accused.
Opposition to ‘Jai Shri Ram’ Hymns in Darbhanga
In Darbhanga’s Alinagar area, tensions escalated after Muslims objected to the playing of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ hymns during a Saraswati Puja procession on 25 January. The dispute turned violent the next day during idol immersion, when stones were pelted at Hindu devotees in Jayantipur village. Three devotees were injured, and panic reportedly led to incidents of theft.
Despite eyewitness accounts describing communal targeting, local police officials initially downplayed the religious angle, attributing the dispute to a motorcycle-related argument. Additional forces were deployed to prevent further violence.
Saraswati Puja Disrupted in Hajipur
In Hajipur, Vaishali district, Saraswati Puja was disrupted not by mobs but by administrative action. On 24 January, a local station house officer allegedly ordered the stopping of aarti at a puja pandal in Ward No. 7 of Teknari Panchayat, claiming that a DJ was being used. Devotees maintained that no DJ was playing at the time.
The interruption of the ritual triggered protests by villagers, who surrounded the police personnel and refused to proceed with idol immersion until their grievances were addressed. The incident highlighted tensions between religious communities and local law enforcement during the festival.
Saraswati Puja Discontinued in a Katihar School
In Katihar district’s Bindtoli village, Saraswati Puja was discontinued at an upgraded middle school after a teacher objected to the ritual application of abir on him the previous year. The festival, which had been organised annually, was halted following his request to the administration.
This decision led to protests by villagers on 24 January. After police intervention and discussions involving local representatives, the school principal acknowledged mishandling the issue and assured that Saraswati Puja would resume from the following year.
Saraswati Puja Disrupted in Sonpur, Chapra
Another incident from Bihar occurred in Sonpur, Chapra, where a drunk individual named Devnarayan Pandey abused Goddess Saraswati and other Hindu deities near a puja pandal on 23 January. He reportedly smoked near the venue and made offensive remarks. After the video went viral, Pandey issued a public apology.
JHARKHAND:
Houses of Hindu Devotees Attacked in Lohardaga
In Baridih village of Lohardaga district, a Saraswati Puja procession was violently attacked on 25 January after the idol-carrying vehicle brushed against the roof of a Muslim household. A mob gathered, and by early morning, Hindu homes were attacked. Three people sustained serious injuries before police and BSF personnel restored order.
Stone-Pelting in Hazaribagh
In Beltu village, Hazaribagh district, a dispute over devotional songs during an immersion procession escalated into stone-pelting on 24 January. Several devotees and police personnel were injured. Senior district officials rushed to the scene to control the situation.
Bombs Hurled at Devotees
In Ward No. 14 of Gohariyon village under Lodipur police station, miscreants hurled bombs at devotees performing Saraswati Puja. Several devotees were seriously injured and taken to Mayaganj Hospital. Police identified the accused and assured strict action.
TRIPURA:
Armed Group Attempts to Disrupt Puja in Kailashahar
On 24 January, 16 individuals armed with machetes and sticks attempted to disrupt Saraswati Puja in Kailashahar’s Katal Dighirpar area. Violent clashes followed, leaving BJP Mandal president Pritam Ghosh injured. A BJP youth leader’s house was vandalised, and an unofficial party office was set on fire. Police were deployed to restore order.
School Management Cancels Saraswati Puja in Unakoti
At Nalakata High School in Unakoti district, Saraswati Puja was not held for the first time in years due to opposition from a management committee dominated by non-Hindu members. The school remained closed on the day of the festival, leaving students and parents distressed.
WEST BENGAL:
TMC Leader Threatens Students in Kolkata
In South Kolkata, students at Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri College alleged that TMC leader Daud Alam Molla threatened them for organising Saraswati Puja. A video of a female student narrating the threat went viral, sparking outrage.
Temple Locked in Kamarhati
In Kamarhati, North 24 Parganas, TMC members allegedly locked a temple to prevent Saraswati Puja celebrations. Police reportedly refused to intervene, angering devotees.
Infighting Disrupts Puja in Cooch Behar
At Dinhata College, a clash between TMC factions disrupted Saraswati Puja celebrations, causing panic among devotees.
Hindu Students Denied Entry in Moynagadi School
In Moynagadi Free Primary School, Hindu students were denied permission to conduct Saraswati Puja after earlier approval was withdrawn due to the school’s Muslim-majority student population.
Idol Vandalism in Nadia and East Midnapore
In Nadia district, 70-80 idols of Saraswati and Kali were vandalised outside a sculptor’s workshop. In East Midnapore, idols of Saraswati and Basanti were desecrated weeks before the festival.
Other States:
In Surat, Gujarat, Saraswati Puja was disrupted when obscene dances were performed inside a puja pandal. In Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, a Bajrang Dal member was brutally attacked for participating in Saraswati Puja and opposing Love Jihad. In Odisha’s Rayagada district, a teacher desecrated idols in a tribal school. In Chhattisgarh’s Surguja district, a drunk government teacher disrupted Saraswati Puja at a primary school and faced disciplinary action.
Bangladesh: Idol Desecration in Minority Hindu Areas
In Bangladesh, Saraswati idols were desecrated in Gopalganj and Satkhira districts. In both cases, miscreants vandalised idols after devotees had left the pandals, prompting fear among minority Hindus.
While authorities often managed to restore order after violence erupted, the recurrence of such incidents raises serious questions about religious freedom, minority protection in neighbouring countries, and the politicisation of faith within India.
Source & Credit: This article is based on information compiled and published by OpIndia.
