NEW DELHI: The Bikaner House Management Society on Thursday defended its request to remove certain photographs from visual artist Raihan Vadra’s exhibition, saying they were “found to be inconsistent” with its policy, as the dispute over the removal of images documenting student protests and photographs of the national flag escalated into a political confrontation between the Congress and the BJP.Vadra, son of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and businessman Robert Vadra, alleged that the administration asked him to remove 70 of the 105 photographs displayed at his exhibition, No Idea Is Final, in New Delhi. He questioned the restrictions on political expression at an art institution, while several Congress leaders criticised the decision as censorship. The BJP, meanwhile, accused the Gandhi family of using the controversy for political purposes.Bikaner House says photographs were inconsistent with its policyIn a statement on Thursday, the Bikaner House Management Society said certain photographs displayed at the exhibition were found to be inconsistent with its policy and their removal was requested. It added that the photographs considered consistent with its policy continued to be displayed.“Bikaner House is a public cultural institution dedicated to the promotion of art and culture. The exhibition and associated activities must comply with Bikaner House Management Society policy,” the statement said.The clarification came a day after Vadra alleged that the administration had asked him to remove several photographs documenting protests in Delhi, including images of the national flag, ahead of the exhibition’s scheduled opening on Wednesday evening.In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Vadra said, “Five hours ago, the Bikaner House Management forced me to remove the bulk of the artworks displayed in my show “No Idea Is Final”, which opens this evening at 7 pm. The photos were of the youth protests in Delhi.Apparently, the content is “objectionable”. They also directed me to remove two photos of the Tiranga. I have refused. I will not take down a picture of the Indian flag.”He said the exhibition would proceed with the remaining works and that he would consider another venue if necessary to display the complete collection of protest photographs.Raihan Vadra questions restrictions on political artSpeaking to PTI Videos, Vadra said he had been informed about potential objections to some photographs a day before the exhibition and had asked the management to communicate its concerns in writing.“My show, ‘No Idea Is Final’, was supposed to start at 7 pm yesterday at Bikaner House. Twenty-four hours before the opening, I was approached by the Bikaner House management and told that some of the pictures might be objectionable or against their policy. I said that I did not believe they are, but I am happy to discuss the matter and asked them to get back to me in writing as to what are the objections,” he said.According to Vadra, the management did not respond until the following morning, when its team inspected the exhibition. He said he was subsequently told to remove 70 of the 105 photographs.“I did not hear from them till 11 am next day when their team came, saw the exhibit and left, they even complimented me on some of the photographs. Then, around 12.30 pm, we received a call from the deputy resident commissioner saying that you have to remove 70 of the 105 photographs in the exhibition because they are against the policy,” he said.Vadra said he had already removed some photographs containing overtly political slogans after reviewing the venue’s policy and was willing to discuss concerns over images featuring flags and political leaders.The management later insisted that the remaining photographs considered objectionable be removed, he alleged. Vadra said he asked officials to put their objections in writing, particularly regarding the photographs of the national flag.“So, we took them down except two photographs of the Indian flag which also they asked me to remove. I said, ‘But they are just pictures of the Indian flag. I do not think there is anything in your policy that says photographs of the Indian flag have to be removed’. At that point, I firmly told them to put their demand in writing if they wanted me to remove the photographs of the Indian flag,” Vadra said.He alleged that although the management did not provide a written demand, officials removed one of the two photographs while he was away.Vadra questioned the restriction on political expression at an art institution, saying, “I mean, most art is political, right? You cannot function as an artistic institution and then say that political content is not allowed,” he said.He also alleged that he had shared a layout of the exhibition with the management a week earlier, but was later told that officials had not been able to review it.Priyanka Gandhi backs son, Robert Vadra says family will find another venuePriyanka Gandhi Vadra backed her son on Thursday, expressing support for his decision to stand by his work.In a post on X, she wrote, “When someone with power becomes afraid of the expression of another, he doesn’t know it, but he has already lost the very power he is trying to protect. You stand for what is true and everything beautiful will find its way to you. I am proud of you, always will be.”Robert Vadra also expressed pride in his son and said the family would find another venue if necessary.Speaking to ANI, he said, “I am very proud of Raihan. He has seen what the whole family goes through and has gone through, and what his father has gone through. So, he is a very strong person, a very strong-headed person. He will find another location, and we will do it at another location.”He said Raihan had attended the recent protests, documenting them through photographs before deciding to organise an exhibition on the subject. According to Robert Vadra, his son had submitted a PDF of the proposed exhibition to the Bikaner House authorities about a week in advance, but they had not raised concerns about its content.Robert Vadra also questioned whether the decision was linked to the Rajasthan government or resulted from other pressures, adding that his son would not be prevented from showcasing his work.Gehlot calls removal of photographs censorshipFormer Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot criticised the BJP government over the controversy, describing the removal of the photographs as an attack on artistic expression and democracy.“Bikaner House is a property of the Rajasthan government. This means a young artist’s creativity was stifled under the BJP government’s watch, which is highly condemnable,” Gehlot said in a statement.He alleged that the government was attempting to suppress images reflecting public dissent and demanded an explanation for the removal of the photographs.“Suppressing the voice of artists is a direct attack on democracy. This is a clear example of censorship,” Gehlot said.Gehlot also praised Vadra for refusing to remove the two photographs featuring the national flag.Congress leader Pawan Khera also questioned the restrictions placed on the exhibition, arguing that artists should be able to express themselves through their work.Speaking to ANI, Khera said, “Raihan Vadra is an artist. We can’t understand why this government is against the expression of art by an artist. Every day we see examples of how this government is against the youth voicing their opinions using different mediums, including art,” Khera said.
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BJP targets Gandhi family over exhibition rowThe BJP hit back at the Congress over the controversy, with party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia targeting the Gandhi family and alleging that it was using the episode to pursue its political ambitions.Speaking on the issue, Bhatia said, “Congress’ psychophant leaders are saying that he is the future president of Congress. One defective product who has lost 99 elections has not been launched by Sonia mummy. Now Priyanka mummy’s mission has come to launch Raihan.”Further targeting the Congress leadership, Bhatia alleged that the family was willing to do anything to regain power.“This fake Gandhi family wants power every time, and as soon as they are out of power, they will do anything. They can do anything for power. The law will prevail in the country, be it the defective product Rahul Gandhi or the future president of Congress, Raihan Vadra. Priyanka mummy is now on a new mission. After the launch of Rahul Gandhi, Raihan will be launched,” he added.
