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A 30-foot-tall cockroach effigy is set to be burnt alongside Raavan, Kumbhkaran, and Meghnad at the Shri Keshav Ram Leela Committee celebration in Pitampura, Delhi. Organisers stated that the cockroach represents filth and unhygienic conditions, framing the move as part of the Swachh Bharat and Swachh Delhi campaigns. However, the timing has drawn attention due to ongoing protests by the Cockroach Janta Party. In response, party founder Abhijit Dipke sarcastically thanked organisers for free publicity. While the committee, chaired by BJP MLA Ashok Goel, denied any political intent, heavy police deployment and security arrangements were made at the venue to prevent disruptions ahead of the effigy burning.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann hit back at Union Home Minister Amit Shah following the latter's criticism of the Aam Aadmi Party government regarding the drug menace in the state. Mann alleged that narcotics enter Punjab from BJP-governed states, asserting that Rajasthan has widespread drug issues, Haryana has become a hub for gangsters, and consignments originate from Gujarat. Pointing to 3,000-kilogram drug seizures linked to Kandla port, Mann questioned the Centre's failure to halt such shipments. He further challenged Amit Shah over cross-border smuggling from Pakistan, pointing out that the Border Security Force exercises jurisdiction across a 50-kilometre range along the border, and accused the Home Minister of indulging in cheap politics only during elections.