During a recent Ram Leela celebration in Delhi, the Shree Keshav Ram Leela Committee incorporated a unique symbolic gesture into their festivities. Instead of traditional effigies alone, the organizers burned a large effigy representing a cockroach. According to committee representatives, the cockroach was chosen as a visual metaphor for dirt, filth, and poor hygiene.

The stated purpose of this demonstration was to align the cultural event with the national 'Swachh Bharat' (Clean India) and local 'Swachh Delhi' campaigns. By destroying the effigy, organizers aimed to raise public awareness regarding the importance of sanitation and cleanliness in the city. While Ram Leela events typically focus on the victory of good over evil as depicted in the Hindu epic Ramayana, this committee chose to extend that theme to include the fight against urban sanitation challenges. The event highlights a growing trend of using traditional community gatherings to amplify government-led social messaging.