New Delhi, Oct. 18: A 30-foot cockroach effigy planned for burning alongside those of Ravan, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran at a Delhi Ramlila event has triggered debate on social media. Organisers say the initiative aims to promote cleanliness rather than convey a political message.
The Shree Keshav Ram Leela Committee, which organises the annual event in Pitampura, said the effigy represents filth and dirt. The committee linked the initiative to the Swachh Bharat and Swachh Delhi cleanliness campaigns.
Organisers Deny Political Motive Behind Cockroach Effigy
Committee president and BJP MLA Ashok Goel said the decision was not politically motivated. He said the cockroach would be depicted among the asuras in Ravan’s army to highlight the victory of good over evil and the importance of cleanliness.
The plan has drawn criticism from some social media users amid protests by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in Delhi. The group has participated in demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Some users questioned whether introducing contemporary political references into a religious celebration could hurt sentiments or divert attention from Dussehra’s traditional significance. Others raised concerns about burning a large effigy in a city already facing air pollution.
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Goel said the committee had used its annual effigy-burning tradition to highlight social issues in previous years. He cited effigies representing Naxalism and terrorism in earlier editions and denied any connection between this year’s cockroach effigy and the CJP.
Meanwhile, the Indraprastha Ramleela Committee in Patparganj plans to burn a fourth effigy titled ‘Aaj ka Ravan’. Committee president Sandip Bindal said it would represent price manipulation in generic medicines and counterfeit drugs.
Bindal said the committee selects the theme through a voting process involving members and others during the first eight days of Ramlila. The chosen effigy is then burnt on the final day.
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