Giant cockroach set ablaze at India's Dussehra festival sparks political row
Key Takeaways
- A BJP leader sets fire to a 30-foot cockroach effigy in New Delhi alongside traditional figures.
- Opposition politicians question the symbolism following protests by the Cockroach Janta Party.
- The Shri Keshav Ramlila Committee says the effigy represents poor hygiene and supports the Clean India campaign.
A BJP leader burns a 30-foot cockroach effigy during Dussehra celebrations in New Delhi, drawing criticism amid tensions surrounding the Cockroach Janta Party protests.
A 30-foot cockroach effigy was set on fire during Dussehra celebrations in New Delhi, sparking a political dispute over the use of the insect as a symbol during the religious festival.
The unusual burning took place in Pitampura on Tuesday, where a leader of India's governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) set the giant effigy ablaze.
The cockroach was burned alongside traditional effigies of the mythical demon king Ravan, his brother Kumbhkaran and his son Meghnad.
The incident attracted attention because of its timing, coming days after violent demonstrations involving the 'Cockroach' Janta Party (CJP), which has adopted the insect as its symbol.
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The protests had already generated public criticism over the violence and disruption associated with the demonstrations.
However, organisers of the Dussehra celebrations rejected suggestions that the cockroach effigy was intended as a political statement.
The Shri Keshav Ramlila Committee maintained that the insect represented dirt and poor hygiene, explaining that its burning was meant to promote the government's Clean India campaign.
Organisers also denied any connection between the effigy and the CJP protest movement.
Despite the explanation, opposition politicians accused the organisers of introducing political messages into a religious celebration.
Dussehra is a Hindu festival commemorating Lord Rama's victory over the demon king Ravan, representing the triumph of good over evil.
As part of the celebrations, large effigies of Ravan, Kumbhkaran and Meghnad are traditionally burned.
This year's celebration in Pitampura included the additional cockroach effigy, which became the centre of a political controversy.
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This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
