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Throughout October, Deepavali—or Diwali—celebrations featuring Ravana effigy-burning events are scheduled in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria
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Deepavali, known globally as the festival of lights, holds deep cultural and religious significance for Hindus, Sikhs, and others worldwide, symbolizing light’s victory over darkness
A group representing Australians of Tamil heritage and certain Hindu communities is actively working to stop the practice of burning Ravana effigies during Deepavali celebrations across the country.
Traditionally, some Hindu Australians view this effigy-burning as a symbolic act that signifies the triumph of good over evil, a central theme of the festival.
The group includes representatives from Tamil and “caste-oppressed Hindu communities” who express that the effigy-burning holds cultural implications beyond the celebration’s intended meaning
However, this group argues that the depiction of Ravana—a significant cultural and spiritual figure—as purely evil disrespects and misrepresents Tamil heritage and associated beliefs.
They argue that this act desecrates an important figure within their heritage, portraying a narrative they find insensitive and potentially discriminatory.
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