Udaipur – The ninth Udaipur Film Festival, dedicated to Prof. G.N. Saibaba and the children killed in the Palestinian conflict, became the center of controversy over the weekend. Faced with intense protests from right-wing groups and inaction by local authorities, the organizers were compelled to relocate the final day's screenings from the Ravindra Nath Tagore Medical College Auditorium to a makeshift cowshed.
Organizers have called the incident an “attack on democratic rights” and are now contemplating legal action.
The three-day festival, scheduled from November 15 to 17, began smoothly, with 180 registrations and successful screenings on the first day. However, protests broke out midway through the second day, led by Hindu groups accusing the festival of promoting “anti-national, jihadi, and Maoist ideologies.”
The protesters approached Dr. Vipin Mathur, principal of the medical college, demanding the festival’s immediate cessation. They also threatened to file charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against the organizers.
In an interview with The Mooknayak, the convenor of the film festival Rinku Parihar shared the challenges they faced.
“We had been preparing for the festival for three months, paying ₹30,000 to book the auditorium. Our brochures were public, clearly stating that this year’s festival was dedicated to Prof. G.N. Saibaba and the children killed in Palestine. Yet, we faced baseless accusations and hostility.”
Rinku explained that during a meeting with the principal and protesters, questions were raised about the festival’s focus.
“They asked why we were dedicating the festival to Palestinian children when children die in India and Israel as well. They also took offense to Late Prof Saibaba, who they claimed was accused of making bombs.”
The organizers clarified their intentions, stating the festival aimed to show solidarity with marginalized communities and raise awareness about social justice issues.
“We agreed to amend our banners to avoid misunderstandings and reiterated that we condemn all forms of violence. But even as we made adjustments, further demands followed,” Rinku said.
"We agreed with the protesters' concerns and told them that we do not support any kind of massacre, and that we would make the necessary changes to our banner. While we were making these arrangements, I was asked to come back to the principal’s office, where 8-10 people asked more questions. They showed a message written on their mobile and demanded that we release a video apologizing to the nation as per their instructions," she added.
The festival’s disruption escalated as the principal withdrew support, citing pressure from protesters. Seeking help, the organizers approached Udaipur District Collector Arvind Poswal. However, their plea fell on deaf ears.
“The collector outright refused to intervene. He even questioned why we organize events that invite controversy. Despite submitting a formal request, no action was taken,” Rinku revealed.
With no support from the administration, the organizers scrambled to find an alternative venue. The screenings on the final day were held in a cleared-out cowshed, with makeshift seating arrangements.
The relocation significantly impacted attendance. While 180 people had attended on the first day and 137 on the second, the audience on the final day dropped to around 50-60 due to confusion about the new venue.
“It was disheartening to see our efforts thwarted by such hostility and indifference,” Rinku lamented.
In this matter, The Mooknayak attempted to contact Udaipur Collector Arvind Poswal to get his side of the story. The news will be updated upon receiving a response from the District Magistrate.
Rinku recounted instances of mocking and aggressive behavior from the protesters.
“They ridiculed our bookstall, questioning why we displayed materials on B.R. Ambedkar. They also objected to films addressing caste issues, claiming they ‘do not believe in caste.’ Even when we offered them tea, they mocked us, asking if it was ‘saffron tea.’”
On this issue, the PUCL had also urged the Udaipur district administration to intervene. However, due to the administration’s silence, the event had to be relocated. Dalit and human rights activist Bhanwar Meghvanshi criticized the actions, stating, "Communal forces opposed the Udaipur Film Festival and halted the screening of 'Hadd Anhad'. The RNT Medical College administration also ordered to suspend screening of the movies at the festival. Protests outside the venue disrupted the event, forcing the organizers to move it elsewhere. This is a blatant attack on freedom of expression and a condemnable act by fascist elements."
The festival featured a diverse lineup of 24 films, including 7 feature films, 1 experimental film, and 16 documentaries. Five films focused on Palestine, while others explored caste, gender, and social justice issues.
Special screenings included Tharu Eco Weaves, a documentary by Tharu tribal students from Uttarakhand’s Nanakmatta Public School, highlighting their community’s unique cultural identity. A curated package of Palestinian films was presented by Jaipur-based curator Vineet Agrawal of Oralities Foundation.
Participants included filmmakers from Rajasthan, Ahmedabad, Ranchi, Bhopal, and beyond. The festival also hosted a bookstall by Navarun Publications, featuring literature on social issues. There were no invitations or entry tickets required to attend the festival.
In 2015 also, the Udaipur Film Festival was opposed when it was dedicated to 'Rohith Vemula'.
The organizers have pledged to pursue legal remedies to safeguard their right to organize such events.
“This festival is part of the ‘Cinema of Resistance’ movement, aimed at fostering dialogue on critical societal issues. So far 73 film festivals have been held across India. This is not just an attack on us but on the freedom of expression and democratic values,” Rinku asserted.
Despite the challenges, the organizers remain determined to continue their mission of using meaningful cinema as a tool for resistance and awareness.
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