Terms & Conditions for Shabdotsav 2026

Scope and Admission: These Terms and Conditions apply to all Shabdotsav 2026 attendees – including general visitors, invited guests, speakers, panelists, volunteers, and VIPs. Entry to the festival constitutes acceptance of these terms. All tickets and passes are personal and non-transferable. Importantly, admission to the festival is a revocable license: the organizers may revoke or suspend your access for any breach of these rules.

Code of Conduct

Attendees must behave respectfully and responsibly at all times. Unacceptable behavior includes harassment, intimidation, or abuse of any kind (physical, verbal, or otherwise) toward any person, including staff, volunteers, speakers, fellow attendees, and venue personnel. Discriminatory or derogatory speech (e.g. based on race, gender, religion, or other protected attributes) is strictly prohibited. Disorderly or dangerous conduct – such as fighting, threats, stalking, or sustained disruption of sessions – will not be tolerated Attendees under the influence of illegal drugs or whose intoxication (from alcohol or other substances) impairs their behavior will be denied entry or removed. Vandalism, theft, or any damage to festival or venue property is forbidden and may be prosecuted. Please follow instructions from festival and venue staff at all times. Anyone asked to stop any prohibited behavior or comply with staff directions is expected to do so immediately

Safety and Security

● Security Screening: For the safety of all attendees, security personnel may screen people and belongings upon entry (e.g. bag checks, metal detectors). All persons and property are subject to search. You must cooperate with these checks.

● Prohibited Items: The following items are not allowed at any festival venue: weapons of any kind, fireworks or explosives, illegal drugs, outside alcohol or intoxicants, and other hazardous or offensive items (for example, glass bottles, grills, or large flags). Any prohibited items found will be confiscated without compensation. Attendees bringing illegal drugs or underage alcohol will be removed from the event and may face legal action. (For clarity, firearms and knives are explicitly forbidden, even if part of a costume.)

● Personal Safety: Keep pathways and exits clear. Do not climb on structures or obstruct emergency routes. Leave personal belongings unattended only at your own risk; organizers are not responsible for loss or damage.

Data Privacy

By registering or purchasing a ticket, you consent to the collection of certain personal information (such as your name, email address, and phone number) for festival purposes. This data is used to complete your registration, send event updates (like schedule changes, reminders, and emergency notices), and provide festival materialsWith your consent, we may also use your contact information for related promotional communications about Shabdotsav or future events. In limited cases, we may share delegate contact details (e.g. name, email, phone) with approved event partners or sponsors so they can communicate about event-relevant opportunities. All personal data is processed in accordance with applicable privacy laws. We collect only data that is necessary for these purposes, and we retain it only as long as needed. You have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your personal information; please refer to our Privacy Policy for details. We will not sell your personal data to third parties outside the scope of the festival.

Photography and Media

Shabdotsav events will be professionally recorded. By attending, you acknowledge that you may be photographed, filmed, or recorded by organizers or their agents, and you consent to the use of your image or likeness in any event media. Photographs, videos, and recordings may be used in promotional materials, websites, and publications produced by the organizers. The festival and its hosts own the rights to these recordings and may reproduce them for marketing or archival purposes. Attendees are welcome to take personal photos or videos for private, non-commercial use, but any media intended for public or commercial distribution requires prior permission. If you do not wish to be photographed, please notify staff on entry; organizers will make reasonable efforts to honor such requests, but complete exclusion cannot be guaranteed

Venue Guidelines

Shabdotsav 2026 takes place across multiple venues and stages. Attendees should follow all posted signs and schedules at each location. Please respect the facilities: do not damage walls, seating, or equipment, and dispose of trash in the bins provided. Smoking (where prohibited) and littering are forbidden. Be mindful of restricted areas (backstage, technical rooms, etc.) – entry is allowed only with proper credentials. Festival staff and volunteers are on hand to assist you; please treat them with courtesy and respect. Remember that you represent the festival and our community – courteous behavior toward venue employees and other guests is expected at all times.

Enforcement and Liability

By attending Shabdotsav, you assume all risks associated with participation. Neither the organizers, sponsors, nor venue owners shall be liable for any injury, loss, or damage to you or your property. Personal belongings are your responsibility; secure them appropriately. Organizers and security staff reserve the right to refuse admission or to eject without refund any person who violates these Terms or who behaves in a way that may endanger others. If an attendee is asked to leave and does not comply, law enforcement may be called. In such cases, no compensation or ticket refund will be provided.

Compliance: These Terms & Conditions, together with any ticketing agreement and our Privacy Policy, form the complete rules for attendee behavior at Shabdotsav 2026. We reserve the right to update these terms as needed; notices will be posted in advance. Thank you for your cooperation. Enjoy Shabdotsav 2026 responsibly and safely!