Delhi Ramlila to burn 30-foot cockroach effigy for cleanliness

The Shree Keshav Ramlila Samiti in Pitampura, Delhi, has announced it will burn a 30-foot cockroach effigy during this year’s Dussehra celebrations. The effigy will be set ablaze alongside traditional figures such as Ravana, Kumbhkaran, and Meghnad.

Organizers stated the cockroach symbolizes filth and dirt, serving as a social message to promote cleanliness and hygiene in alignment with the Swachh Bharat and Swachh Delhi campaigns. The cockroach will be depicted as part of Ravana’s demon army to represent the triumph of good over impurity. Ashok Goyal, President of the committee and a BJP MLA, clarified that the decision is a social effort rather than a political one.

The event occurs amidst ongoing protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in the national capital. The CJP has been demonstrating against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and previously played a role in the resignation of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.