.png)
5 hours ago
24
2 min readJaipurFeb 8, 2026 07:13 AM IST
NSUI activists opposed the singer’s participation. (Image: udaipurworldmusicfestival/Representational)
The performance of Turkish singer Selin Sümbültepe at the Udaipur World Music Festival was cancelled on Saturday evening, barely 30 minutes before it was scheduled to begin, following protests by the National Students Union of India (NSUI) activists.
Udaipur Music Festival is celebrating its 10 anniversary in which many international musicians participated. This was organised by the Tourism Department in Rajasthan. No other artist’s show was cancelled.
NSUI activists opposed the singer’s participation, alleging that Turkey had supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor by supplying them with drones and arguing that artists from the country should not be given a platform in India.
The protest began at 2 PM when NSUI members gathered outside the District Collectorate and submitted a memorandum to Additional District Magistrate (ADM) City Jitendra Ojha, demanding the immediate cancellation of the event. Later in the evening, activists staged a demonstration at the entrance of the festival venue at Gandhi Ground, holding placards and raising slogans against the performance scheduled for 7 PM.
Following the protest at the venue, the organisers called off the show. Indian Express sent a message to Udaipur Collector Namit Mehta but he didn’t respond. ADM Jitendra Ojha said he has no knowleddge regarding the cancellation of the program.
Former NSUI District President Mohit Nayak termed the invitation to Turkish artists “completely wrong,” stating that Turkey has supported Pakistan on international platforms and has been involved in anti-India activities. He alleged that allowing such a performance on the “sacred land of Mewar” was unacceptable and accused the Rajasthan government of supporting the event, calling it an example of the BJP’s “double standards.”
Nayak said that earlier the organisers had assured the group that no events involving Turkish artists will be held in the future. “It is absolutely inappropriate to give a platform to artists from a country that has helped our enemies in times of difficulty, especially on the land of Maharana Pratap. This act will tarnish the image of Mewar,” he said.
Parul Kulshrestha is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Rajasthan. A lawyer turned journalist, she brings a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to her reporting, blending legal precision with deep social inquiry to cover one of India's most culturally and politically vibrant regions. Expertise and Experience Legal-Journalistic Synergy: Parul’s transition from a legal background to mainstream journalism provides her with a distinct advantage in interpreting policy, legislation, and judicial impacts. This expertise allows her to "read between the lines" of government orders and court rulings affecting the public. Diverse Beat: With years of experience across both mainstream newsrooms and independent journalism, she has built high-level authority in several critical areas: Nomadic Tribes & Marginalized Communities: She is recognized for her sensitive and in-depth reporting on the struggles and rights of Rajasthan's nomadic populations, often giving a voice to those outside the traditional political spotlight. Gender & Social Justice: Parul focuses on the intersection of law and gender, covering issues ranging from women’s safety and reproductive rights to the socio-economic empowerment of rural women. Environmental & Political Reporting: She tracks Rajasthan’s complex political landscape—including electoral shifts and bureaucratic changes—alongside critical environmental concerns like water scarcity and land use. Academic & Professional Pedigree: Her background as a lawyer, combined with her rise to the rank of Principal Correspondent at a national broadsheet, establishes her as a senior voice in the media landscape. ... Read More
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
English (US) ·