Raihan Vadra’s protest photographs removed from Bikaner House exhibition, sparking political row

A controversy over artistic freedom has erupted after the management of Bikaner House in New Delhi asked visual artist Raihan Vadra, son of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and businessman Robert Vadra, to remove photographs documenting recent protests in the capital from his solo exhibition.

The Rajasthan government-run cultural venue said on Thursday that the photographs were inconsistent with its policy and that their removal had therefore been requested. The decision prompted criticism from Priyanka Gandhi, who accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the Centre of being afraid of artistic expression. The BJP hit back, accusing the Gandhi family of doing anything to regain power.

The exhibition, titled *No Idea Is Final*, features wildlife, abstract and street photography. Reports said around 74 to 75 of the 105 photographs originally planned for the show were removed, leaving approximately 35 works on display.

Bikaner House says photographs violated venue policy

In a statement, the Bikaner House Management Society said certain photographs displayed at the exhibition had been found inconsistent with its policy and that their removal had been requested.

“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 management said.

It added that photographs consistent with the society’s policy would continue to be displayed. Bikaner House is owned and managed by the Rajasthan government.

The photographs at the centre of the dispute document recent protests against the Election Commission in Delhi, including demonstrations involving students and young people.

Raihan alleges last-minute objections to protest photographs

Raihan alleged that the management raised objections to the political nature of the photographs only shortly before the exhibition was due to open, despite having approved his proposal on June 30, 2025.

In a statement circulated at the exhibition, the 26-year-old artist said the approved proposal had clearly outlined themes of “choice, control, and unity”.

He said the photographs were a visual record of people and armed forces at the protests, without additional commentary, and denied that any of his work contained derogatory or inflammatory remarks.

Raihan alleged that he was asked to remove around half of the artworks, with the management ultimately directing him to take down all works it considered political by 3.30 pm on the day of the exhibition. He said he was warned that the show would otherwise be cancelled.

He also alleged that Rohit Kumar, the principal resident commissioner of Bikaner House, inspected the rooms where the photographs were displayed before purportedly contacting the Rajasthan chief secretary and another official at the chief minister’s office.

According to Raihan, the management had raised objections to the images on Tuesday, citing their political nature, and asked him to remove them. He said he had shared the exhibition proposal and layout well in advance.

Reports on the dispute said the venue also objected to blank frames that were used to replace the removed photographs. The disagreement extended to images featuring the Indian national flag, which Raihan said he did not want to take down.

On Thursday, Raihan said restrictions on artistic expression were wrong. Speaking to ANI, he said he did not know whether there had been pressure from elsewhere, adding that he understood the decision to have come from the venue’s management.

Priyanka Gandhi accuses BJP of fearing artistic expression

Priyanka Gandhi described the move as ridiculous and said it amounted to “muzzling” the voices of young people across the country.

“Today it's him, tomorrow it'll be another artist,” she told PTI.

In an Instagram post on Thursday, the Congress MP tagged Raihan and took an indirect swipe at the Narendra Modi-led government.

“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,” she wrote.

Congress leader Pawan Khera also criticised the decision, questioning why the government was opposed to artistic expression.

“Raihan Vadra is an artist. We can't understand why this government is against the expression of art by an artist,” Khera told ANI.

He alleged that the government repeatedly opposed young people expressing their views through different mediums, including art.

BJP hits back at Gandhi family

BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia responded by targeting the Congress leadership, alleging that the Gandhi family was willing to do anything to return to 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,” Bhatia said.

He added that the law would prevail in the country and referred to Rahul Gandhi as a “defective product” before suggesting that Raihan could be the next member of the family to be politically launched.

“Priyanka mummy is now on a new mission. After the launch of Rahul Gandhi, Raihan will be launched,” he said.

The controversy has put the focus on the boundaries of artistic expression at a public cultural institution, with Raihan maintaining that his photographs were intended to document recent events rather than make inflammatory political statements.