The performance of Turkish singer Selin Sümbültepe at the Udaipur World Music Festival was cancelled due to protests by NSUI activists. The activists accused Turkey of supplying drones to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. The event, marking the festival's 10th anniversary, was organized by the Rajasthan Tourism Department.
The Udaipur World Music Festival, organized by the Rajasthan Tourism Department, featured several international musicians as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations. On Saturday evening, the scheduled 7 PM performance by Turkish singer Selin Sümbültepe was abruptly cancelled just 30 minutes before it was set to begin, following protests from National Students' Union of India (NSUI) activists.
The NSUI opposed the singer's participation, claiming Turkey had supported Pakistan by providing drones during Operation Sindoor and arguing that artists from such a country should not be platformed in India. The protest kicked off at 2 PM outside the District Collectorate, where activists submitted a memorandum to Additional District Magistrate (ADM) City Jitendra Ojha demanding the event's immediate cancellation. In the evening, they demonstrated at the festival venue's entrance at Gandhi Ground, brandishing placards and chanting slogans against the 7 PM show.
The demonstration at the site prompted organizers to call off the performance. The Indian Express messaged Udaipur Collector Namit Mehta, but received no response. ADM Jitendra Ojha stated he had no knowledge of the cancellation. Former NSUI District President Mohit Nayak described inviting Turkish artists as "completely wrong," noting Turkey's support for Pakistan on international forums and involvement in anti-India activities. He called the event on the "sacred land of Mewar" unacceptable and accused the Rajasthan government of exemplifying the BJP's "double standards."
Organizers assured the NSUI that no events featuring Turkish artists would occur in the future. Nayak remarked, "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." No other artist's show was cancelled during the festival.
