Kasrawad village burns 25-ft Ravana effigy on Diwali night after 19-day land dispute in Khargone

A 25-foot effigy of Ravana was burnt on Diwali night on Sunday in Chhoti Kasrawad village of Khargone district, 19 days after the ritual could not be held on Dussehra because of a dispute over the land at the site. The event was held amid drums and fireworks, and the village celebrated Dussehra and Diwali together.

The dispute dates to October 20. The effigy was to be burnt that day at the traditional site, but the land there is privately owned, which led to a dispute. The administration had directed that the effigy be burnt at another location because the land was private. Villagers did not accept this, protested and demanded that the event be held at the traditional site. The effigy could not be burnt on Dussehra because of the standoff.

SDM Anil Jain and police station in-charge Indresh Tripathi had also tried to persuade the villagers. Even so, the villagers insisted that the burning would take place only at their traditional site. As a result, the village had to wait 19 days.

The wait ended on Diwali night. A large number of villagers came to watch. As the effigy was set alight, the area echoed with chants of "Jai Shri Ram". The Shri Sanwariya Group had put up an attractive tableau of Lord Ram and Lakshman.

The manner of organising the event also changed this time. The burning was held through the newly formed Dussehra Maidan Bachao Samiti. Earlier, the gram panchayat organised the event. The panchayat used to get the effigy made and also conducted the programme.

The village stayed in a festive mood throughout, with lamps, fireworks and chants of "Jai Shri Ram".