From Gyanesh Kumar to a giant cockroach, Delhi’s Dussehra takes a political turn
Protesters in Delhi used the Dussehra festival to stage political demonstrations against the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar. The protests, which included burning effigies, were centered on grievances regarding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Why it matters
The event highlights growing civil unrest and political polarization in India regarding the integrity of electoral processes and the perceived neutrality of election officials.
From Gyanesh Kumar to a giant cockroach, Delhi’s Dussehra takes a political turn left Members and supporters stage a protest through buring effigy of Ravan with poster of Narendra Modi Face on Dussehra, demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation in New Delhi on October 20, 2026. Shashi Shekhar Kashyap Shashi Shekhar Kashyap https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/sf8596/article71604667.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/NSUI%20multi-headed%20ravana.jpeg Effigies of the Chief Election Commissioner and political leaders go up in flames as protests against SIR and ‘vote chori’ continue in the Capital; a 30-foot cockroach joins the traditional Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad. NEW DELHI From a Ravana bearing the faces of the country’s top political figures to a giant cockroach set to join the traditional demons in the flames, Dussehra in Delhi on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) became another occasion for protesters to take their grievances to the streets.
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