Robert Vadra, in an exclusive conversation with India Today, called the last-minute removal of nearly two-thirds of son Raihan's photographs from his Bikaner House exhibition "intimidation", questioning why objections were raised hours before its opening despite the proposal being submitted a week earlier.
Vadra said Raihan had exhibited at Bikaner House for six years and had followed the established procedure of submitting a PDF of the proposed exhibits in advance. (Photo: PTI)
New Delhi,Oct 23, 2026 13:15 IST
Robert Vadra on Friday questioned the Bikaner House administration's decision to remove photographs from his son Raihan Vadra's exhibition just hours before it was due to open, asking why objections were raised at the last minute despite the proposal being submitted a week in advance.
Calling the last-minute intervention "intimidation", Vadra, in an exclusive conversation with India Today, said the administration had failed to scrutinise the photographs in time and left his son scrambling to dismantle parts of the show.
Vadra said Raihan had exhibited at Bikaner House for six years and had followed the established procedure of submitting a PDF of the proposed exhibits in advance. He questioned why the photographs were not scrutinised earlier.
"Why was there no objection at that time? Why are you telling us at 9 o'clock?" he said.
The controversy erupted after Raihan, an artist and photographer and the son of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Robert Vadra, said several photographs depicting recent Delhi protests, including images featuring the national flag, were ordered to be removed from his solo exhibition, No Idea Is Final, at Bikaner House.
Vadra said the objections came only after Raihan had begun setting up the exhibition and inviting guests for a preview. He said the administration had failed to conduct its due diligence despite having a week to review the proposal.
"They did not do their due diligence," he said.
Vadra also questioned why around 75 photographs (nearly 2/3 of the exhibition) were marked for removal instead of the administration identifying specific images that violated its policy.
According to Vadra, the administration did not provide a clear explanation for its objections. He said his son had offered to turn around the photographs in question rather than display them, but the response was that the pictures had to be removed.
Vadra maintained that Raihan's work was not intended to promote any political leader. He also said the family was unaware of the specific restrictions cited in the venue's booking policy, reiterating that the proposal should have been examined before the exhibition was set up.
Vadra also questioned the administration's decision to ask the organisers to leave before the agreed closing time. He said the venue was usually available until 11 pm, but they were told to vacate by 9 pm and warned that the lights would be switched off if they stayed.
The organisers were forced to ask guests and people associated with Raihan's work to leave, Vadra said. "This is embarrassing. This is intimidation," he said.
BIKANER HOUSE CITES POLICY
The Bikaner House Management Society on Thursday said that certain photographs in Raihan's exhibition were inconsistent with its policy and that their removal had been requested. It said the remaining photographs continued to be displayed.
In a statement, the society said exhibitions at the public cultural institution must comply with the Bikaner House Management Society Policy.
"Certain photographs displayed as part of Mr Raihan Vadra's exhibition, 'No Idea Is Final', at Bikaner House were found to be inconsistent with the policy of the Bikaner House Management Society. Accordingly, their removal was requested," it said.
"The photographs that are consistent with the Society's policy have continued to be displayed," it added.
Raihan said he was informed at 3.30 pm that the exhibition would be cancelled unless the photographs were removed by 5 pm. He also said he had shared the detailed proposal and layout with the management well in advance.
The exhibition was previewed on Wednesday and opened on Thursday.
PRIYANKA GANDHI BACKS SON
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called the move "ridiculous" and accused the authorities of muzzling the voices of young people.
"Today it's him, tomorrow it'll be another artist," she told PTI.
In a message to her son, the Congress leader wrote, "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 said he remained proud of his son and was confident he would find another venue to display his work.
"I'm proud of him. He's a solid chap. He'll find another property. He'll find another place," he said.
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