Mathura based organisation wants ban on burning of Ravana's effigy, says he espoused 'value-based culture'

 An organisation here has urged the president and the prime minister to ban the burning of Ravana's effigy on the Dussehra festival, saying the mythical king of Lanka was a propounder of "value-based culture".

'Lankesh Bhakta Mandal' chief Omveer Saraswat said the members of the organisation pay obeisance to Ravana who is "such a learned devotee of Lord Shiva". "The president of India, prime minister and Uttar Pradesh chief minister, in separate letters, have been urged to impose ban on burning of effigies of Ravana on Dussehra, slated for October 19," Saraswat, a senior advocate, said.

Ecologically as well as culturally, it is "unfair" to burn effigies of Ravana since he was not only knowledgable but virtually the propounder of value-based culture, he said. Saraswat said this custom of burning effigies should be permanently banned and instead the Rama-Ravana battle on Dussehra should be associated with Swachh Bharat Mission for a cleaner environment. Dussehra is celebrated across the country, particularly the northern region, to mark the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama in the epic Ramayana. This year Dussehra will be celebrated on October 19.