New Delhi: A controversy has erupted over the removal of photographs from visual artist Raihan Vadra's exhibition at Bikaner House in New Delhi, with the son of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleging that officials ordered the removal of 70 of his 105 photographs, including images of the national flag.
Raihan said on Thursday that most art is political and an art institution cannot prohibit political content. His solo exhibition, titled No Idea Is Final, was scheduled to open on Wednesday evening and featured photographs documenting student protests and other demonstrations in Delhi.
Speaking to PTI Videos, Raihan said Bikaner House officials had raised concerns about some photographs shortly before the opening. He said he had asked them to specify their objections in writing but did not receive a written explanation.
According to Raihan, officials initially asked him to remove photographs they considered objectionable under the venue's policy. He said he had already agreed to set aside some images containing overt political slogans, but the administration subsequently insisted that around 70 photographs be removed.
Raihan said two photographs of the Indian flag were also targeted. Although he refused to remove them without a written directive, he alleged that officials removed one of the photographs while he was away preparing for the exhibition's opening. He said he had recorded a video of the incident.
"I mean, most art is political, right? You cannot function as an artistic institution and then say that political content is not allowed," Raihan said.
He also questioned why the photographs had not been reviewed earlier, saying he had shared the exhibition layout with the administration a week before the opening.
The Bikaner House Management Society said on Thursday that certain photographs were found to be inconsistent with its policy and that their removal had been requested. It said the remaining photographs continued to be displayed, adding that exhibitions at the public cultural institution must comply with its management policy.
Raihan's father, businessman Robert Vadra, said the artist had submitted a PDF of the proposed exhibition to the authorities a week in advance and had received no indication that the content was controversial. He alleged that officials intervened at the last minute, putting pressure on his son and his team shortly before the opening.
Robert Vadra said he was proud of his son's efforts and his decision to proceed with the exhibition using the photographs that remained.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also expressed support for her son. In a post on social media, she said she was proud of him for standing by what he believed was true.
The controversy drew a sharp response from Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, who criticised the removal of photographs of the national flag. In a post on X, he called the act "anti-national" and said the Bikaner House management should face an "Indian version of Nuremberg trials" when democracy was reclaimed. The Nuremberg Trials were held after World War II to prosecute Nazi leaders for war crimes and the Holocaust.
Meanwhile, BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan criticised Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over the controversy, accusing the Congress leadership of believing itself to be above the law.
Kesavan said Bikaner House's policy guidelines clearly prohibited political content in exhibitions and accused the Congress leader of attempting to "play the victim card". He also alleged that the Congress leadership expected rules to apply to ordinary citizens but not to its own members.
Raihan had earlier said on Instagram that he would not remove the photographs of the Indian flag and that the exhibition would continue in part. He also said he would consider finding another venue if necessary to display the complete collection of photographs documenting the protests.
(With agency inputs from ANI and PTI)