On the trail of the cockroach

The dung beetle adorned the sarcophagi of pharaohs and gods in ancient Egypt. Butterflies, ants, termites, spiders, and cockroaches, too, are held in high regard across the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Yet, there is one arthropod that evokes fear, derision, and even political discourse: the cockroach. While it can be easily crushed by larger humans, it is also a symbol of resilience, capable of surviving in extreme conditions like a nuclear apocalypse.

In India, the insect has recently gained significant attention in the political arena. This transformation began after Chief Justice of India made a remark about young and restless individuals, which quickly caught the attention of social media and turned into a protest movement. The Shree Keshav Ram Leela Committee, responsible for the annual Ramlila in Pitampura, has decided to burn a 30-foot effigy of a cockroach on Dussehra.

The organizers claim this is part of the Swachh Bharat campaign, where cockroaches will be depicted as part of the asura army. While efforts to suppress the current viral trend of the insect may be made, it remains to be seen if burning a 30-foot effigy will be enough, as cockroaches and ideas alike can endure and sometimes unexpectedly take off.