World · South & Central Asia · 3 hrs ago
CJP founder thanks Delhi Ramlila organisers for cockroach effigy
A Ramlila committee in Pitampura, Delhi, plans to burn a 30-foot cockroach effigy alongside traditional Dussehra figures.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke responded with a sarcastic “Thank you for the free publicity.”
The committee says the cockroach represents filth and unhygienic conditions, and that the display promotes cleanliness.
Its president, BJP MLA Ashok Goel, says the decision is not politically motivated and supports the Swachh Bharat and Swachh Delhi campaigns.
The Cockroach Janata Party emerged after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant used a cockroach comparison during a court hearing, sparking a backlash.
The plan has prompted debate over mixing current political issues with a religious celebration.
The committee is preparing to burn the effigy at its Dussehra event in Pitampura.
A Delhi Ramlila committee plans to burn a 30-foot cockroach effigy alongside the traditional effigies of Ravan, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad on Dussehra.
The event is planned at grounds in Pitampura, with preparations underway.
The committee says the cockroach represents filth and dirt and is meant to promote cleanliness.
Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke thanked the organisers for what he called “free publicity.”
Committee president Ashok Goel denied that the decision was politically motivated.
- Who
- The Shree Keshav Ram Leela Committee plans the effigy burning. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and committee president Ashok Goel have commented.
- What
- A 30-foot cockroach effigy is planned to be burned alongside effigies of Ravan, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad.
- When
- October 20, 2026.
- Where
- The committee’s grounds in Pitampura, New Delhi.
- Why
- The committee says the cockroach represents filth and dirt and promotes cleanliness and the victory of good over evil.
Shree Keshav Ram Leela Committee
Cockroach Janata Party
Purpose
Shree Keshav Ram Leela Committee
The committee says the effigy symbolises filth and promotes cleanliness.
Cockroach Janata Party
Dipke called the announcement “free publicity”; CJP legal head Ratna Singh described the controversy as a “tamasha.
Political meaning
Shree Keshav Ram Leela Committee
Goel said the decision was not politically motivated.
Cockroach Janata Party
Not stated.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant compared certain individuals to “cockroaches” during a Supreme Court hearing, according to the Times of India.
The remarks triggered a backlash and inspired the Cockroach Janata Party movement.
The committee planned to burn the cockroach effigy alongside the traditional effigies at its Pitampura event.
Dipke thanked the organisers for what he called “free publicity.
- Effigy height
- 30 feet
- Event date
- October 20, 2026
- Location
- Pitampura, New Delhi
- Other effigies
- Ravan, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad
- Committee president
- Ashok Goel
- CJP founder
- Abhijeet Dipke
3 sources
What people are saying
Thank you for the free publicity
tamasha
This year, it chose a cockroach to highlight the need to eliminate dirt and unhygienic conditions from homes, neighbourhoods and society.