Yunus, Elon Musk among figures depicted as ‘anti-Indian Ravanas’ in Lucknow posters

Posters branding several Indian and international public figures as opponents of India have appeared at intersections across Lucknow ahead of Dussehra, drawing attention for depicting them as the ten-headed Ravana.

According to a report by The Times of India on Monday, the posters, titled “Sanatan Bharat Ke Virodhi Ravan”, were allegedly put up by the Sanatan Raksha Sangathan.

Those featured include Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, businessman Elon Musk, advocate Prashant Bhushan and former Uttar Pradesh politicians Atiq Ahmed and Mukhtar Ansari, among others.

The posters place political leaders, foreign public figures and individuals associated with criminal cases under a common “Bharat Virodhi” — or anti-India — label.

Using Ravana’s ten-headed image, traditionally associated with Dussehra, the organisation has given the festival’s symbolism a political dimension by portraying the named personalities as opponents of India’s interests.

In a separate video, a Samajwadi Party worker was seen removing one of the posters from a public spot in Lucknow.

Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad accused the BJP of targeting Akhilesh Yadav because of his growing popularity and credibility ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

“The 2027 elections are approaching, and the BJP is worried about the growing popularity and credibility of Akhilesh Yadav. As the elections draw closer, their anxiety is increasing. That is why such things are being done through posters, false statements and misleading claims. However, all these efforts will fail,” he said.