30-foot cockroach effigy to burn with Ravan at Delhi Ramlila amid CJP protests

A 30-foot-tall cockroach effigy will be set ablaze alongside the traditional effigies of Ravan, Kumbhkaran and Meghnad at a Ramlila in Delhi's Pitampura this year, a decision that comes amid continuing demonstrations by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in the national capital.

The Shree Keshav Ram Leela Committee, which organises the annual celebrations, said the cockroach represented "filth and dirt" and that its inclusion was intended to promote cleanliness under the Swachh Bharat and Swachh Delhi campaigns.

Committee president Ashok Goel, a BJP MLA, maintained that the decision had no political motivation and was aimed solely at spreading awareness about cleanliness.

The unusual addition to the traditional Dussehra celebrations has attracted attention because of its timing, with the CJP currently organising protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The organisers, however, have denied any connection between the effigy and the ongoing political agitation.

𝗖𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗻'𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘆

According to Goel, the cockroach will also feature among the asuras, or demons, in Ravan's army during the Ramlila performance.

He said the effigy would be burnt alongside those of Ravan, Kumbhkaran and Meghnad to reinforce the traditional message of the victory of good over evil while drawing attention to the importance of maintaining cleanliness.

The committee has presented the initiative as an extension of public awareness campaigns encouraging better sanitation and hygiene.

The burning of Ravan's effigy is a central feature of Dussehra celebrations, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. The inclusion of a cockroach introduces a contemporary cleanliness message into the traditional presentation.

Goel reiterated that the organisers' decision was not intended as a political statement.

𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗝𝗣 𝗮𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The announcement comes as the Cockroach Janta Party has returned to the streets of Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities.

The group has joined opposition parties and student organisations in demonstrations questioning the Election Commission's handling of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

The CJP had earlier organised protests against former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

In June and July, its supporters staged a demonstration at Jantar Mantar for more than a month and marched towards Parliament on July 20. Pradhan subsequently resigned from his ministerial position.

The organisation has since shifted its focus to electoral issues, alleging irregularities in the revision of voter lists.

Its recent demonstrations in the national capital have been accompanied by police restrictions and the detention of activists, students and journalists.

Against this backdrop, the decision to burn a cockroach effigy has prompted questions about whether the symbolism has any connection with the protest organisation.

The Ramlila committee has rejected that interpretation, maintaining that the initiative is exclusively concerned with cleanliness.

𝗖𝗝𝗣 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗧𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆

The development also comes ahead of the CJP's proposed "Lehra do Tiranga" march at Central Park in Connaught Place on October 16.

The organisation has called upon supporters to gather with the national flag as part of its continuing campaign over electoral accountability and police action against protesters.

However, the New Delhi Municipal Council has announced that Central Park will remain closed to the general public on October 16 and 17, citing administrative reasons.

Delhi Police has also said it would facilitate only a limited gathering of 11 people carrying the national flag and singing the national anthem at a suitable location in the area.

The restrictions have created uncertainty over the proposed demonstration.

Meanwhile, the Pitampura Ramlila organisers have maintained that their decision to include a 30-foot cockroach effigy should not be viewed through the prism of the political controversy.

Goel said the objective was to convey a message about cleanliness and the victory of good over evil, rather than comment on any political organisation or protest movement.