Cockroach Effigy Burning at Delhi's Dussehra Celebrations Sparks Political Controversy

This time on Dussehra in Delhi, a 30-foot-tall cockroach effigy was also burnt along with Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad. The event at DDA ground in Netaji Subhash Place, Pitampura, sparked a political controversy. Delhi government minister and BJP leader Kapil Mishra set the cockroach effigy on fire. Aam Aadmi Party's Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj has demanded an FIR against the organisers, calling it an act hurting religious sentiments. Saurabh Bharadwaj on Tuesday sent a complaint to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and the Commissioner of Police. He demanded an FIR against the organisers of Shri Keshav Ramlila Committee, Delhi government minister and committee member Kapil Mishra and others. Bharadwaj alleges that the decision to burn the cockroach effigy along with traditional Dussehra effigies has hurt religious sentiments. He has also asked the media and social media platforms to remove the pictures, videos and other publicity material associated with the event.