New Delhi, October 16: In an unusual addition to this year’s Dussehra celebrations, organisers of the Pitampura Ramlila in Delhi have planned to burn a 30-foot-tall cockroach effigy alongside the traditional effigies of Ravan, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad.

The initiative, announced by the Shri Keshav Ramlila Committee, has attracted attention because of its unconventional theme. While the burning of Ravan traditionally symbolises the triumph of good over evil, the cockroach effigy is intended to highlight the problems associated with dirt, unhygienic surroundings and poor sanitation.

According to reports, the organisers say the initiative aims to spread awareness about cleanliness and encourage people to maintain a cleaner environment. The campaign is being linked to the broader objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission and efforts to improve cleanliness in Delhi.

Committee president and BJP MLA Ashok Goel has denied allegations that the proposed effigy carries a political message. The organisers have maintained that the initiative is focused on sanitation and public awareness.

However, the announcement has generated controversy, with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) staging protests against the plan. The dispute has added a political dimension to an event that would otherwise form part of the annual Dussehra festivities.

Dussehra is celebrated across India to mark the victory of good over evil. The burning of Ravan’s effigy remains one of the festival’s most prominent traditions, drawing large crowds to Ramlila grounds every year.

The proposed 30-foot cockroach effigy introduces a contemporary public-awareness theme into this traditional celebration. Organisers hope that the symbolic burning will encourage residents to pay greater attention to hygiene, waste disposal and cleanliness in their neighbourhoods.

The Pitampura event is expected to draw public interest because of the unusual addition. However, the announcement of the planned burning should not be confused with confirmation that the effigy has already been set alight.

The development highlights how traditional public celebrations can also become platforms for raising awareness about civic issues, even as unconventional ideas sometimes trigger debate and protests.

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