AAP demands FIR over 30ft cockroach effigy burned alongside Ravan in Delhi

NEW DELHI: AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj on Tuesday lodged a complaint with the LG and the Delhi Police commissioner against the organisers of a Ramlila in Pitampura for burning a cockroach effigy, alleging that the act had hurt religious sentiments.In his complaint, Bharadwaj sought the registration of an FIR against the organisers of the Shri Keshav Ramlila Committee, Delhi minister and committee member Kapil Mishra, who was also the chief guest at the event, and other organisers, news agency PTI reported.Mishra hit back at the AAP, saying those offended by the cockroach effigy were "termites" of the country's politics.The 30ft cockroach effigy was installed at the DDA ground in Netaji Subhash Place in Pitampura, alongside effigies of demon king Ravan, his brother Kumbhakaran and son Meghnad.The cockroach effigy has attracted attention amid protests against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar by the Cockroach Janta Party, PTI reported.The event organisers said the effigy was intended to raise awareness about filth and the health problems associated with it.In his complaint, Bharadwaj said the organisers' decision to burn the cockroach effigy alongside the traditional effigies had hurt religious sentiments.

He also sought the removal of photographs, videos and other promotional material related to the effigy from media and social media platforms.Bharadwaj further said he would move court if an FIR was not registered, PTI reported.Targeting the AAP, Mishra said, "The cockroach effigy is being burnt and those affected by it are termites of the country's politics."He claimed that various groups had joined hands to conspire against the country and that the truth would ultimately prevail.The giant cockroach effigy was set ablaze in the evening, with the event drawing a large crowd.

(With agency inputs)