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Cockroach effigy at Ramlila event triggers queries

hellohimachalse@gmail.com 19 Oct 2026 2 hours ago

New Delhi: With a 30-foot effigy of a cockroach to be burnt alongside those of Ravan, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran at a Ramlila event here, some social media users are questioning its propriety at a religious celebration while organisers maintain the initiative aims to promote cleanliness.

The Shree Keshav Ram Leela Committee, which organises the annual event in Pitampura, said the cockroach symbolises filth and dirt and the initiative aims to spread awareness about cleanliness under ‘Swachh Bharat’ and ‘Swachh Delhi’ campaigns. Committee president and BJP MLA Ashok Goel told PTI that the decision is not politically motivated and intends to convey the victory of good over evil while highlighting the importance of cleanliness.

The cockroach will be depicted among the ‘asuras’ in Ravan’s army, he said. The development comes amid protests by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in the capital. The group had initially protested against former education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and has now joined demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Several social media users have questioned the decision, arguing that bringing contemporary political developments into a religious celebration could hurt sentiments and divert attention from the festival’s traditional significance.

“Dussehra symbolises the victory of good over evil. Why turn this beautiful tradition into a platform for contemporary political rivalries?” a user wrote, urging people to ensure that festivals unite communities rather than deepen political divisions. Another user said equating Ravan with a cockroach would not affect the CJP but could hurt Hindu sentiments. Others questioned the religious basis of the initiative and alleged that the festival was being used to advance a political message. “As a Hindu, this is very disrespectful to the religion and everything that I tend to follow in my life. They are politicising Hinduism and mixing things for their own benefit,” a user said.

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