From Social Evils to a Cockroach: Delhi’s Dussehra Tradition Takes a New Turn

The tradition of burning of giant effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna on in Delhi is an integral part of the city’s cultural identity, which attracts thousands of spectators every year. It is more than a festive spectacle. It brings Ramayana to life and people cutting across religion and community participate in this grand event which symbolises triumph of good over evil. VVIPs like the Ministers, MPs and others also participate in it.

But this year, it has raked up a new controversy particularly on social media as the organisers have decided to burn a 30 foot effigy of a cockroach alongside those of the demon king Ravan, Meghnad and Kumbhakarn. Many have been questioning the decision and alleged that the religious celebration could hurt the sentiments of the people.

However, the organisers say that this initiative was taken to promote the campaign for cleanliness under ‘Swachh Bharat’ and Swachh Delhi campaigns. But those who are questioning the propriety claim that there was more than this. The ‘Swachh Bharat’ campaign is not knew. Having the effigy of cockroach, they say has direct reference to the protests by CJP.

The Shree Keshav Ram Leela Committee, which organises the annual event in Pitampura, said the cockroach symbolises filth and dirt and the decision was not politically motivated.

Committee president and BJP MLA Ashok Goel claimed it is intended to convey the message of 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.

“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. “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,” some social media users said. Another user said that Delhi was grappling with air pollution and not cockroach menace then why burn the effigy of cockroach.

Goel, however, said the committee had used its annual effigy-burning tradition to highlight different social evils in previous years. Last year, the committee burnt an effigy symbolising Naxalism, while the year before, one of the effigies represented terrorism, he said.

He maintained that this year’s cockroach effigy was intended to highlight filth and uncleanliness and was not linked to the CJP or any political development.

Separately, Sandip Bindal, president of the Indraprastha Ramleela Committee in Patparganj, said the committee would burn a fourth effigy, titled ‘Aaj ka Ravan’, alongside those of Ravan, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran, as part of its annual tradition of highlighting social evils.