While Dijana Hrka, mother of a young man who tragically died in a collapsed canopy in Novi Sad, continues her hunger strike outside the Serbian Parliament for the fourth day, supporters of President Aleksandar Vučić’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) held a simultaneous, orchestrated rally at the same location, complete with music, food stalls, and festive activities.
Hrka’s protest, demanding justice for her son and accountability from authorities, drew citizens from across Serbia, including Niš, Novi Sad, Čačak, and Kragujevac. Demonstrators staged performances, blocked intersections, and spelled out “Mama” on their bodies, sending a clear message of solidarity and frustration with the government’s inaction.
Meanwhile, the SNS rally in Ćacilend, organized at the same time, appeared more like a political spectacle than a genuine public gathering. Participants waved flags bearing Vučić’s image and slogans such as “No Surrender” and “When the Army Returns to Kosovo,” while music and food stalls created a carnival-like atmosphere. Police heavily secured the area, further highlighting the contrast between the authorities’ protection of the ruling party and the lack of accountability for citizens seeking justice.
Critics argue that Vučić’s government continues to use orchestrated events to distract from serious social grievances, while systematically undermining citizens’ voices and protests. Hrka’s peaceful demonstration underscores a growing public frustration with a regime perceived as indifferent to human tragedy and more focused on political theater.
Despite the tense backdrop, Hrka’s protest remained peaceful, though reports of traffic blockades and police interventions against supporters indicate a growing tension between ordinary citizens and the state. The juxtaposition of a grieving mother on a hunger strike against a festive, heavily secured SNS rally paints a stark picture of the disconnect between Vučić’s government and the Serbian people.
