Ludhiana: A centuries-old Daresi Dussehra tradition turned into a high-profile political and security spectacle Tuesday as Union home minister Amit Shah set ablaze a 121-ft Ravana effigy and used the occasion to deliver a symbolic message against the drug menace, even as extensive security arrangements brought much of the old city to a standstill.Participating in the iconic Daresi celebrations for the first time, Shah became the first Union home minister to attend the event, transforming the annual religious gathering into one of the biggest political events the city has witnessed in recent years.Using a remote-control device, Shah ignited the giant Ravana effigy, invoking the festival’s message of the triumph of good over evil and drawing parallels with the need to eliminate drugs from society.The high-profile visit, however, came at a cost for thousands of residents and revellers. Hours before Shah’s arrival, police threw a tight security ring around the venue, barricading major approach roads and declaring Daresi Road a no-vehicle zone. Traffic diversions were enforced across adjoining areas, leaving commuters stranded in long queues and forcing many visitors to walk considerable distances to reach the fairground.The security restrictions also affected small traders and vendors who were not allowed to set up stalls near the venue. Several residents complained that roads were sealed long before Shah’s arrival, while municipal corporation teams removed two-wheelers parked near the ground to keep routes clear for VIP movement.As visitors struggled with diversions and parking restrictions, police personnel remained deployed across the area to manage movement and prevent congestion. Residents were seen arguing with officials over the prolonged closures, saying the arrangements disrupted one of the city’s most popular festive gatherings.Before the Ravana dahan, Shah paid tributes to martyr Sukhdev Thapar and said it was an honour to participate in Ludhiana’s celebrated Dussehra festivities. Recalling a popular saying from his childhood, he remarked that anyone wishing to witness a grand Ravana dahan should visit Daresi ground, praising organisers for preserving the event’s legacy over the decades.The celebrations also acquired a political undertone. While BJP leaders remained at the venue until the conclusion of the event, opposition leaders largely stayed away during Shah’s appearance and the Ravana dahan ceremony.Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring visited briefly before leaving and accused the BJP of inconveniencing the public through extensive road blockades. AAP MLAs Madan Lal Bagga and Daljit Grewal Bhola, along with senior deputy mayor Rakesh Prashar, visited earlier but departed before Shah reached the venue.In a parallel political protest, an SAD councillor burnt effigies bearing photographs of chief minister Bhagwant Mann, AAP MLA Daljit Grewal and mayor Inderjit Kaur, alleging the government had failed to tackle the drug problem and other civic issues.The evening eventually ended with cheers, fireworks and the burning of the towering Ravana effigy, but not before Daresi’s traditional Dussehra became a showcase of faith, politics, security and public inconvenience all rolled into one.
