A scandal erupted at Bikaner House in Delhi after artist and photographer Raihan Vadra, son of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and businessman Robert Vadra, stated that the venue management demanded the removal of about 74 photographs documenting recent youth protests before the opening of his solo exhibition, 'No Idea Is Final.'
Raihan also reported that he was asked to remove two pictures of the Indian flag, which he refused. According to PTI, the exhibition opened on schedule on Wednesday, with about 40 photographs remaining on display, while more than 70 were removed. The exhibition, featuring wildlife, abstract works, and images of recent youth movements, will run until Sunday.
In an Instagram post, Raihan wrote that 'Five hours ago, the management of Bikaner House forced me to remove most of the artwork presented in my exhibition 'No Idea Is Final,' which opens tonight at 7 PM. The photos related to youth protests in Delhi. Apparently, the content was deemed 'unacceptable.' Furthermore, they asked me to remove two pictures of the Tiranga. I refused. I will not remove the image of the Indian flag.'
Reasons for photo removal
Raihan told PTI that the management objected to the 'political nature' of the protest photographs. He was informed at 3:30 PM on Wednesday that the images had to be removed by 5:00 PM, or the exhibition would be canceled. According to Raihan, the administration stated that it was not the time to display these images in the current political climate in India. He insisted that the photographs did not carry a political message but merely documented protests over the past six months.
He told PTI: 'I consider it my duty as an Indian artist, and not just because I am currently holding an exhibition, but because it is my duty as an Indian artist to document what is happening... They are censoring artists' work; I don't know what they are afraid of. They even went so far as to ask for the removal of a picture of the Indian flag.' Raihan also noted that he had provided the management with the project and layout of the exhibition in advance and objected to the removal of almost half the works less than 24 hours before the opening.
An official spokesperson for Bikaner House told PTI that the administration was not authorized to comment on the matter.
Reaction from Priyanka Gandhi and Congress leaders
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized the alleged removal of photographs, calling it an attempt to silence the voices of the youth. She told PTI: 'I think it is ridiculous. What do you think? He is a young boy, but I suppose you know they are silencing the voice of the youth across the country. So it is expected that they would do this to anyone.'
She added: 'His protest photos, not a single comment, not anything that would offend anyone, are simply visual documentation of the protest. So, I mean, obviously that's how they think. This is no longer democracy. Today it is him, tomorrow it will be another artist.'
Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera also condemned the alleged censorship, questioning why photographs documenting protests were deemed unacceptable. He wrote: 'When even the Tricolour is not safe from the censor's scissors, perhaps the problem is not with art. The problem is with the regime. Just a few hours before @raihanrvadra was supposed to open his art exhibition 'No Idea Is Final,' 74 pieces of art—almost half the exhibition—were taken down as 'political' by Bikaner House. The photos simply documented protests, and none of them were offensive or provocative. So, what exactly was the violation?'
Khera also asserted that among the works Raihan was supposed to defend was a photograph of the Tricolour. Congress MP Kartikeya Chidambaram also condemned the alleged censorship, calling the administration's behavior 'stupid' and 'rude.' The legal wing of the Indian Youth Congress also reacted to the scandal, posting on X: 'IYC Legal Wing: YOU CAN CENSOR THE FRAME. NOT THE TRUTH. SAHEB DARA HUA HE.'
Raihan stated that the exhibition will continue with the works that remain on display and noted that if necessary, he can find another venue to show the full collection of protest photographs.
