RSS forces disruption at Udaipur film festival honouring Palestinian children, Saibab

The RSS reportedly disrupted the ninth Udaipur Film Festival for dedicating it to Palestinian children affected by the ongoing war with Israel and rights activist G.N. Saibaba, The Wire reported.

The three-day event, jointly organised by Cinema of Resistance and the Udaipur Film Society, was held at the Rabindranath Tagore Medical College from November 15 to 17.

The report suggests that despite completing the necessary formalities and obtaining permission from the college administration, the principal of the college intervened after RSS members disrupted the event on the second day of the festival, during the post-lunch session.

The principal summoned the organisers and RSS representatives for a discussion, questioning the festival’s intent. The RSS objected to banners and posters displayed at the venue, alleging they supported controversial figures and causes.

The RSS demanded an apology from the organisers for dedicating the festival to Palestinian children and rights activist Saibaba, whom they labelled a terrorist. The organisers refused to apologise but stated they were willing to extend the tribute to victims of all genocides.

Despite their efforts to address the objections, the situation escalated, with RSS members doubling in number and pressuring the organisers. The college administration subsequently shut down the event, citing the growing tensions.

The disruption forced the organisers to relocate the screenings to a new venue near Sandeshwar Mahadev temple. The festival resumed with support from prominent filmmakers and participants who stood in solidarity with the organisers.

Despite the relocation, the disruption was widely condemned by various groups, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, which criticised the actions of the RSS and highlighted the broader implications for freedom of speech and artistic expression.

The organisers also reported challenges in promoting the festival, with social media platforms blocking advertisements for the event. Attempts to seek redress from local authorities proved futile.

Although the organisers approached the district magistrate and district collector for assistance, their concerns were reportedly dismissed, and they were advised to file a police complaint instead. The presence of a local police representative during the disruption did not prevent the event’s closure.

This is not the first instance of such disruptions at the Udaipur Film Festival. A similar incident occurred in 2016 when tributes to Rohith Vemula and Delta Meghwal prompted objections from the student wing of the RSS.