burning giant effigies of the demon king Ravan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FpUFaDKzeU

The event took place at the Netaji Subhash Place grounds in Pitampura, Delhi, during the Dussehra festival. Organised by the Shri Keshav Ramlila Committee, the unusual inclusion officially aimed to promote hygiene campaigns. However, it generated substantial political controversy and social media buzz due to its correlation with the youth-led "Cockroach Janata Party" (CJP) protests happening in the capital.

In October 2026, a major political and cultural controversy erupted in Delhi, India, when a 30-foot cockroach effigy was burned alongside traditional effigies during the Hindu festival of Dussehra. 

Traditionally, the festival culminates in burning giant effigies of the demon king Ravan, Kumbhkaran, and Meghnad to symbolise the victory of good over evil. The unexpected addition of a giant insect sparked massive debate across the city. 

Why was a 30-foot cockroach burned?

The event, organised by the Shree Keshav Ram Leela Committee in Pitampura, Delhi, drew two starkly different interpretations:

The Organisers' Stance (Cleanliness): The committee defended the move by stating the cockroach represented filth, dirt, and unhygienic conditions. They claimed it was a creative push to support public health and cleanliness campaigns like Swachh Bharat (Clean India)