Ludhiana Marks Dussehra with India's Tallest Ravana Effigy as Sarpanch Killing Deepens Security Concerns

Ludhiana is simultaneously preparing for one of its most spectacular Dussehra celebrations in years — with a record-breaking 121-foot Ravana effigy set to burn at the city's historic Daresi Ground — while a fresh wave of concern follows the killing of a former sarpanch, the latest in a series of attacks on local leaders that is testing the Punjab government's anti-gangster commitments and the safety of those who serve in community leadership roles.

🪔 Ludhiana's Historic Daresi Ground to Host Punjab's Tallest 121-Foot Ravana Effigy

This Dussehra, Ludhiana is set to stage a Ravana effigy burning that will stand apart from celebrations across Punjab, with preparations underway at the city's historic Daresi Ground to construct a 121-foot effigy of Ravana — the tallest such effigy in the state, according to a report by ETV Bharat. The project reflects both the scale of civic investment in this year's Dussehra celebrations and the pride that Ludhiana residents take in marking this festival with appropriate spectacle and devotion. Daresi Ground has long served as one of Ludhiana's most significant public gathering spaces, used for large events, sports, and cultural celebrations throughout the year. For Dussehra, the ground transforms into the site of the annual Ravana dahan, drawing enormous crowds from across the city and surrounding districts who come to witness the symbolic triumph of good over evil at the heart of the festival's meaning. The 121-foot effigy is expected to surpass previous height records for the state and stands as a powerful symbol of the community's commitment to maintaining the vibrancy of its festive traditions. Organizers have reportedly been working for weeks on the elaborate construction, and the anticipation among Ludhiana residents is high as the city prepares to host what promises to be a memorable and record-setting Dussehra event at this beloved public venue. [3]

Former Sarpanch Shot Dead in Ludhiana, Highlighting Pattern of Attacks on Punjab Leaders

A former sarpanch was shot dead in Ludhiana in the first week of October 2026, adding to a troubling pattern of violence targeting local elected and community leaders across Punjab, as reported by The New Indian Express. The killing has renewed scrutiny of the AAP-led Punjab government's high-profile anti-gangster initiative, known as Gangsteran Te Vaar, which was launched with considerable fanfare but has yet to deliver the sustained security improvements that communities across the state were hoping for. The incident in Ludhiana is not an isolated one; Punjab has seen a series of attacks on sarpanches and other grassroots political figures in recent months, raising persistent questions about the effectiveness of police deployment and intelligence at the local level. The pattern of targeting local leaders suggests that criminal networks continue to exercise significant influence at the village and block level, and community groups are calling on the state government to do more to protect those who serve in civic leadership roles. Security forces and local police have been put on alert following the killing, and there are growing calls for a formal review of protective measures for elected officials and community representatives across Punjab, with many demanding that the government move beyond high-profile announcements and deliver concrete changes in ground-level security arrangements. [6]

Sources: [3] ETV Bharat · [6] The New Indian Express