What’s Behind the 30-Foot Cockroach Effigy at Delhi's Ramlila?

The recent Ramlila event in Delhi featured a striking 30-foot cockroach effigy, igniting discussions about its symbolism and political implications. Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), expressed gratitude for the publicity, while the effigy aimed to highlight cleanliness issues. The event drew attention as it coincided with ongoing protests led by the CJP against various political matters. This unique blend of tradition and contemporary issues has raised eyebrows on social media, prompting questions about the appropriateness of such representations during festive celebrations. Read on to explore the full story behind this controversial effigy.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 20, 2026, 22:52 IST

CJP Founder Responds to Controversial Effigy

New Delhi: Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), expressed gratitude to the organizers of a Ramlila event in Delhi for what he termed 'free publicity' after they revealed plans to burn a 30-foot effigy of a cockroach alongside that of the demon king Ravan.

The event's organizers clarified that the cockroach effigy represents filth and aims to promote cleanliness as part of the Swachh Bharat and Swachh Delhi initiatives.

Dipke took to X to share his appreciation, stating, 'Thank you for the free publicity.'

Thank you for the free publicity.

— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 20, 2026

CJP's legal head, Ratna Singh, also commented on the situation via X, labeling it a 'tamasha.'

In another post, she remarked that the incident indicates the CJP is making a significant impact.

'Burning a cockroach effigy on Dussehra only shows how rattled the ruling party is... It's good to know we are seen as competition,' she stated.

'Clearly, we are doing something right. Perhaps your IT cell needs a break after all this (unproductive) effort,' Singh added.

The 30-foot cockroach effigy was set ablaze alongside those of Ravan, his brother Kumbhkaran, and son Meghnad at the DDA ground in Netaji Subhash Place, Pitampura, attracting a large audience.

Ashok Goel Devaraha, president of the committee and BJP MLA from Model Town, explained that the giant cockroach symbolizes dirt and unhygienic conditions, aiming to raise awareness about related health issues like allergies and asthma.

He noted that the committee traditionally burns an additional effigy each year to represent a social issue.

In the past, they have burned effigies symbolizing problems such as COVID-19, Naxalism, and foreign goods.

This year's effigy has garnered attention as the CJP has been active in protests throughout the capital.

Their demonstration against the NEET paper leak led to the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Union education minister in July. Recently, the CJP has also been protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, calling for his resignation over alleged electoral roll irregularities.

The cockroach effigy has sparked discussions on social media, with many questioning the appropriateness of blending current political issues with traditional festivities.