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

Cockroach Janata Party Thanks Delhi Ramlila organisers for ‘Free publicity’ Over Cockroach Effigy

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

“Thank you for the free publicity,” Mr. Dipke said in reaction to the announcement.

CJP legal head Ratna Singh also commented on the controversy, calling it a “tamasha” or drama.

The Shree Keshav Ram Leela Committee, which organises the annual event in Pitampura, explained that the cockroach effigy was meant to symbolize filth and promote cleanliness as part of the Swachh Bharat and Swachh Delhi campaigns.

Committee president and BJP MLA Ashok Goel insisted that the decision was not politically motivated but aimed at conveying the message of victory over evil while highlighting the importance of cleanliness.

The development came during ongoing protests by the CJP in the national 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 sparked debates on social media, with some users questioning its appropriateness at a religious event and accusing organizers of mixing contemporary politics with traditional festival significance.