Delhi minister's giant cockroach effigy burning sparks political row

A Dussehra event in Delhi's Pitampura locality became the flashpoint for a political dispute after minister Kapil Mishra presided over the burning of a 30-foot-tall cockroach effigy during the festival celebrations. The unconventional choice of effigy sparked immediate backlash from the Aam Aadmi Party, which serves as the ruling coalition partner in the national capital. AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj filed a formal complaint with the Lieutenant Governor and Delhi Police Commissioner, demanding a First Information Report against the event organizers and Mishra. Bharadwaj alleged that the display caused hurt to religious sentiments, though he did not specify which community's beliefs were affected. Mishra responded to the criticism by defending the choice of effigy, arguing that the target was household pests and insects rather than any religious or community reference. The minister's counter-argument suggested the AAP was mischaracterizing the symbolic burning. The controversy reflects growing tensions between coalition partners in the Delhi government, with festive celebrations becoming a flashpoint for political disagreements.