New Delhi: Dussehra celebrations at Netaji Subhash Place in Delhi took an unusual turn on Tuesday, October 20, as the Keshav Ramlila Committee burned an effigy of a cockroach alongside the traditional effigy of Ravan, drawing public attention and triggering a political controversy.

The unusual addition to the annual Ravan Dahan ceremony introduced a contemporary social message into the traditional celebration of Vijayadashami, which symbolises the victory of good over evil.

Cockroach Effigy Linked to Cleanliness Campaign

The committee presented the cockroach effigy as a symbolic representation of dirt, filth and unhygienic conditions. The initiative was intended to highlight the importance of cleanliness in public spaces and neighbourhoods.

The organisers linked the message to cleanliness initiatives, including the Swachh Bharat and Swachh Delhi campaigns. The committee’s stated position was that Dussehra could also serve as an occasion to raise awareness about social and civic concerns beyond the traditional religious narrative.

With Ravana’s effigy, the cockroaches have also been burned today. 🔥

Now, it won’t be long before CJP meets the same fate. A group that wants to create anarchy in the country is already witnessing its downfall. Its complete destruction is only a matter of time. https://t.co/JDgKB8541m

— Amit Kumar Sindhi (@AMIT_GUJJU) October 20, 2026

Political Controversy Surrounds the Effigy

The decision to burn a cockroach effigy also attracted political attention amid the emergence of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), a satirical political movement founded by activist Abhijeet Dipke in May 2026.

The timing prompted questions about whether the effigy carried a political message. However, the organisers maintained that it was intended to represent dirt and uncleanliness rather than target any political group.

The incident subsequently became a subject of political debate, with different interpretations emerging over the symbolism and intent behind the unusual effigy.

AAP Seeks Police Action

The controversy intensified after Aam Aadmi Party’s Delhi president, Saurabh Bharadwaj, reportedly submitted a complaint to the Lieutenant Governor and the Delhi Police Commissioner over the incident.

Bharadwaj sought the registration of an FIR, alleging that the act hurt religious sentiments. The complaint added another dimension to the controversy surrounding the Dussehra celebration.

The allegations remain the complainant’s position and should not be treated as proof of wrongdoing by the organisers.

Dussehra Tradition Takes an Unusual Turn

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, commemorates the victory of good over evil, traditionally represented by Lord Ram’s victory over Ravan in the Ramayana. The burning of Ravan’s effigy remains one of the festival’s most recognisable public rituals across India.

At Netaji Subhash Place, the addition of the cockroach effigy brought an unconventional message to the celebrations. While the committee emphasised cleanliness, the episode also sparked a wider discussion about the interpretation of public symbolism and the intersection of cultural celebrations with contemporary politics.

The incident has put the Keshav Ramlila Committee’s Dussehra event in the spotlight, making the unusual effigy one of the talking points of this year’s Vijayadashami celebrations in Delhi.