As the festival of Dussehra approaches, the Shri Keshav Ramlila Committee in Delhi is planning a unique spectacle to mark the triumph of good over evil. Alongside the traditional effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad, the committee will ignite a massive 30-foot cockroach. According to committee president Ashok Goel Devaraha, this unusual addition serves as a powerful metaphor for the "filth" that needs to be purged from homes, neighborhoods, and society at large. Historically, the organizers have used these extra effigies to spotlight national issues like terrorism or Naxalism, but this year, they are focusing on the broader theme of cleanliness.

The stunt takes place against a backdrop of ongoing political tension in the national capital involving the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The group, which has been vocal in its opposition to various government officials and is currently demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, recently faced headlines when its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, was arrested following a rally. While the committee’s choice of a cockroach effigy appears to be a thematic social commentary, it coincides with a period of heated activism, adding a layer of unintended political intrigue to the traditional celebrations in Pitampura.