Build Me a Temple

With many groups challenging the tradition of burning Raavan's effigies, an interesting counter-narrative emerges

- Tarique Anwar

AS the vibrant festivities of Dussehra unfold across the nation, especially in north India, with joyous chants of "Bhawan Ram Chandra Ki Jai" and towering effigies of Raavan going up in flames, an intriguing counternarrative quietly emerges.

While many revel in this ageold tradition, several groups challenge it, arguing that Raavan, often seen as the villain of the Ramayana, was actually a learned Brahmin. They claim that his burning is a "sacrilege".

These advocates not only call for a temple to worship the tenheaded Lankan king but also demand an immediate halt to the burning of Raavan effigies on Vijayadashami.

Omveer Saraswat, a Mathurabased lawyer who claims to belong to the Saraswat Brahmin community, has been advocating for a ban on the burning of Raavan effigies for years. He asserts that Raavan was a Saraswat Brahmin and that burning his effigies "hurts" those who worship him.

"Burning of Raavan effigies hurts our (Saraswat Brahmins') religious sentiments," he says, emphasising that they are also citizens of the country and that the Constitution guarantees religious freedom to everyone.