Delhi Ramlila to Burn 30-Foot Cockroach Effigy Amid Party Protests
The Story
Delhi will feature a 30-foot-tall cockroach effigy to be burned alongside effigies of Ravan, Kumbhkaran, and Meghnad at a Ramlila in Pitampura this Dussehra.
The Shree Keshav Ram Leela Committee, which organizes the event, stated the insect represents filth and dirt and the initiative is part of the "Swachh Bharat" and "Swachh Delhi" campaigns. Ashok Goel, the committee president and a BJP MLA, said the decision is apolitical and intended to reinforce the message of the victory of good over evil and cleanliness.
Goel added the cockroach would be included among the 'asuras' in Ravan's army. This decision comes amid multiple protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) across the nation and in the national capital. The arrests occurred after they scaled barricades to enter a historic site popular for protests and chanted slogans demanding the election chief's resignation.
Police accused Das, Ranka, and activist Ajinkya Shinde of trespassing, breaching a peace bond, violating prohibitory orders, and obstructing public officials. The accused deny these charges. The CJP is currently protesting for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. In June and July, the CJP protested at Jantar Mantar for over a month and marched to Parliament on July 20, leading to the resignation of former education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. US singer Mary Millben alleged that US donors opposed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi are funding India’s youth-led ‘Cockroach’ protest movement.
The Spread
3 placed
3 sources placed · 1 from headlines only · 11 not measured · 1 state-affiliated
The coverage 15 sources
- Center-LeftDaily MaverickIndia’s ‘cockroach’ movement leaders detained in jail for five days, party and police say (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftThe Saturday PaperIndia’s ‘cockroach’ movement leaders detained following protest (opens the publisher’s site)
- CenterBelfast Telegraph‘Cockroach’ movement leaders jailed for five days after scaling barricades (opens the publisher’s site)
- Far RightRT (Russia Today)US singer alleges foreign funding for India’s ‘Cockroach’ movement (opens the publisher’s site)
Not placed on the lean scale
Not measuredDaily Mirror Sri LankaIndia’s ’cockroach’ movement leaders detained in jail for five days, party and police say - Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka (opens the publisher’s site)- Not measuredDawnTop leaders of India's Cockroach Janta Party sent to jail after protest (opens the publisher’s site)
- Not measuredDeccan ChronicleCockroach Effigy Joins Ravan at Delhi Dasara (opens the publisher’s site)
- Not measuredLiveMintDelhi Ramlila to light 30-foot 'cockroach' effigy with Ravana as ‘Swachh Bharat’ initiative amid CJP protests (opens the publisher’s site)
- Not measuredPakistan TodayIndia's 'cockroach' movement leaders detained in jail for five days (opens the publisher’s site)
- Not measuredRepublica (Nepal)Top Indian 'cockroach' leaders sent to jail over trespassing: party (opens the publisher’s site)