Artist and Photographer Raihan Vadra, son of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, with one of his photographs at Bikaner House, in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)
NEW DELHI: A controversy erupted at Delhi’s Bikaner House after artist and photographer Raihan Vadra, son of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and businessman Robert Vadra, alleged that the venue’s management asked him to remove around 74 photographs documenting recent youth protests ahead of his solo exhibition, “No Idea Is Final”.Raihan also alleged that he was asked to remove two photographs of the Indian flag, saying he had refused to take them down.The exhibition opened as scheduled on Wednesday, with around 40 photographs remaining on display while more than 70 were removed, according to a PTI report. The show, featuring wildlife photography, abstract works and images of recent youth movements, is scheduled to continue until Sunday.In a post on Instagram, Raihan wrote, "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."
Why were the photographs removed?
Raihan told PTI that the management had raised objections to the “political nature” of the protest photographs. He said he was informed at 3.30 pm on Wednesday that the images had to be removed by 5 pm or the exhibition would be cancelled.
According to Raihan, the management said that, given the prevailing political climate in India, it was not the right time to display the images. He maintained that the photographs did not convey a political message and merely documented protests over the preceding six months."I felt it is my duty as an Indian artist, not just because I am doing a show right now, but it is my duty as an Indian artist to document what is going on...
They are censoring the work of artists, I don't know what they are scared of. They even went to the extent of removing the picture of the Indian flag," he told PTI.Raihan also said he had shared the exhibition proposal and layout with the management well in advance and objected to the removal of nearly half the artworks less than 24 hours before the opening.A Bikaner House official told PTI that the administration was not authorised to comment on the matter.
Priyanka Gandhi, Congress leaders react
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised the alleged removal of the photographs, describing it as an attempt to silence young voices."I think it's ridiculous. What do you think? He is a young boy but I suppose you know, they are muzzling the voice of the youth across the nation. So it's only expected that they'll do it to anyone," she told PTI."His photographs of the protests, not a single commentary, not a single thing that was either derogatory towards anyone, just a visual documentation of the protest.
So, I mean, clearly this is the way they think. It's not a democracy anymore. Today it's him, tomorrow it'll be another artist," she added.Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera also criticised the alleged censorship, questioning why photographs documenting protests had been considered objectionable."When even the Tricolour isn’t safe from the censor’s scissors, perhaps the problem isn’t the art. It’s the regime.
Just hours before @raihanrvadra was to open his art show ‘No Idea Is Final ’, 74 artworks - nearly half the exhibition - were taken down for being 'political ' by the Bikaner House. The photographs merely documented protests, and not one was derogatory or inflammatory. So what exactly was the offence?" he said.
Khera further alleged that a photograph of the Tricolour was among the works Raihan had to fight to retain. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram also condemned the alleged censorship, calling the administration's behaviour "obtuse" and "churlish."The Indian Youth Congress Legal Cell also reacted to the controversy, posting on X: "IYC Legal Cell's tweet: YOU CAN CENSOR THE FRAME. NOT THE TRUTH. Saheb dara hua hai (sir is scared)."Raihan said the exhibition would continue with the works still on display and indicated that he could seek another venue if necessary to show the full collection of protest photographs.