30-foot 'cockroach' effigy to join Ravan, Kumbhkaran and Meghnad at Delhi Ramleela

NEW DELHI: A 30-foot-tall "cockroach" effigy will be set ablaze alongside those of Ravan, Kumbhkaran and Meghnad at a Ramleela in the national capital this year.

The Shree Keshav Ram Leela Committee, which organises the Ramleela in Pitampura, said the insect symbolises "filth and dirt" and that the initiative is part of the "Swachh Bharat" and "Swachh Delhi" campaigns.

Committee president and BJP MLA Ashok Goel told PTI that the decision was not politically motivated.

He said burning the cockroach effigy was intended to reinforce the message of the victory of good over evil and cleanliness.

Goel said the "cockroach" would also be included among the 'asuras' in Ravan's army.