CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke thanks Delhi Ramlila organizers for ‘free publicity’ over cockroach effigy

An effigy of Ravana, Kumbhkaran and Meghnad along with an effigy of a cockroach during Dussehra celebrations in Pitampura, New Delhi on October 20, 2026. | Photo credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Tuesday (Oct 20, 2026) thanked organizers of the Ramlila event in Delhi for what he called “free publicity” after they announced plans to burn a 30-foot effigy of cockroaches alongside those of Ravan, Meghnad and Kumbhkarna.

“Thank you for the free publicity,” Mr Dipke said in response to the development.

CJP legal chief Ratna Singh also reacted to the controversy, describing it as “tamasha” (drama).

The Shree Keshav Ram Leela Committee, which organizes the annual event in Pitampura, said the effigy of the cockroach is meant to symbolize dirt and grime and promote cleanliness as part of the Swachh Bharat and Swachh Delhi campaigns.

Committee president and BJP MLA Ashok Goel says the decision was not politically motivated and was intended to convey the message of victory of good over evil while emphasizing the importance of cleanliness.

The development comes amid protests by the CJP in the state capital. The group initially protested against former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and later joined demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The proposed effigy has sparked questions on social media, with some users questioning its appropriateness for religious celebrations, arguing that current political developments are interfering with the festival’s traditional meaning.

AAP leader seeks FIR

AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj has lodged a complaint with the Governor and the Delhi Police Commissioner against the organizers of the Shri Keshav Ramlila Committee in Pitampura for the planned burning of the effigy of a 30-foot cockroach along with effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad.

In a post on X, Bharadwaj accused the organizers of deliberately hurting people’s religious sentiments, altering sacred Hindu traditions and trying to incite communal enmity.

I have sent a complaint to @LtGovDelhi and @CPDelhi against the organizers of Shree Keshav Ramleel Committee (NSP Pitampura) including its President Mr. Ashok Kumar Sevrah BJP MLA, Mr. Kapil Mishra (Minister, GNCTD) for deliberately hurting religious sentiments and altering Hindu traditions into sacred communities, demanding immediate removal of offensive content from media platforms. I have requested to register an FIR but if it doesn’t happen we will go to court.

— Saurabh Bharadwaj (@Saurabh_MLAgk) October 20, 2026

The complaint names committee president and BJP MLA Ashok Kumar Sevrah and Delhi minister Kapil Mishra, among others, and demands immediate removal of the allegedly offensive content from media platforms. Mr. Bharadwaj sought an FIR and warned that if no action was taken, he would go to court.

Published – 20 Oct 2026 14:07 IST