Visual artist Raihan Vadra, Priyanka Gandhi's son, alleges 75 photos removed from Delhi exhibition

Visual artist Raihan Rajiv Vadra, son of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and businessman Robert Vadra, has alleged that the management of Bikaner House in New Delhi asked him to remove 75 photographs from his solo exhibition, “No Idea Is Final”, just hours before its scheduled opening on October 21, citing their political content.

The exhibition featured photographs documenting youth-led protests at Jantar Mantar over the past six months, including demonstrations linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the “Vote Chori” movement.

According to Raihan, he was told at around 3.30 pm on Tuesday to remove 75 of the 105 photographs on display by 5 pm, failing which the exhibition would be cancelled. The photographs were reportedly objected to because of their political nature.

The exhibition eventually opened at 7 pm, but with the disputed photographs removed. Images of the exhibition showed empty red walls with nails still visible, highlighting the space left behind by the removed works.

Raihan refuses to remove photographs of the national flag

Raihan also alleged that the management asked him to take down two photographs featuring the Indian national flag, or the Tiranga. He refused to remove those images.

The artist said he would look for another venue where he could exhibit the complete collection, allowing visitors to see the photographs that were excluded from the Delhi show.

The photographs documented youth protests at Jantar Mantar over several months, capturing demonstrations around electoral roll revisions and allegations of voter manipulation raised by the “Vote Chori” movement.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra condemns alleged censorship

Reacting to the incident, Raihan’s mother, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, criticised the reported decision to remove the photographs, arguing that it amounted to suppressing the voices of young people.

She said that if authorities could target her son’s work, another artist could face similar restrictions in the future.

The Congress also criticised the incident, saying it reflected growing concerns over freedom of expression and the space available for political dissent in the country. The party argued that the episode raised questions about the ability of artists to document public protests and present politically sensitive subjects.

Bikaner House exhibition controversy

Bikaner House, a venue owned by the Delhi government, hosted the exhibition. The alleged removal of the photographs shortly before the opening has brought the management’s decision under scrutiny, particularly because the works focused on recent political demonstrations.

The controversy centres on Raihan’s allegation that a substantial portion of his collection was removed on the grounds of political content, leaving the exhibition to open without 75 of its 105 photographs.

Raihan has said he intends to find another venue to display the full collection. The incident has renewed debate over artistic freedom, political expression and the ability of artists to document protests without facing restrictions on the presentation of their work.