Delhi Ramlila Committee to burn 30-foot cockroach effigy

The Shri Keshav Ramlila Committee in New Delhi has announced it will burn a 30-foot cockroach effigy alongside the traditional effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad during the Dussehra festival. The initiative aims to promote cleanliness and raise awareness about hygiene, specifically targeting the elimination of filth in homes, neighborhoods, and society at large.

Committee president and Model Town MLA Ashok Goel Devaraha stated that the addition of the cockroach effigy is intended to highlight health concerns such as asthma and allergies associated with unhygienic surroundings. He noted that the committee has a history of burning symbolic effigies to represent national issues, such as Naxalism, terrorism, and COVID-19.

Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), responded to the announcement on social media, thanking the organizers for “free publicity.” CJP legal head Ratna Singh also commented on the development, characterizing the move as a reaction to the party's impact.