‘Politics Behind It Is the Problem’: Pawan Khera Slams BJP Over Raihan Vadra’s Art Censorship
Congress leader Pawan Khera accuses BJP of hypocrisy after 75 photos from Raihan Vadra's exhibition were removed from Bikaner House.
A major political storm has erupted in New Delhi over allegations of state-sponsored censorship at Bikaner House. Congress leader Pawan Khera has launched a scathing attack on the BJP and its former IT Cell Chief, Amit Malviya, accusing the ruling dispensation of blatant double standards regarding what constitutes "political art."
The controversy centers around the solo photography exhibition titled "No Idea Is Final" by artist Raihan Rajiv Vadra, the son of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The exhibition was intended to showcase 105 images documenting civic movements and youth-led protests across the national capital. However, the event took a dramatic turn just hours before its public opening.
The Censorship Row at Bikaner House
The administration of Bikaner House, which operates under the Rajasthan government, intervened at the eleventh hour, demanding the removal of 75 photographs from the collection. The authorities justified this move by citing a strict policy that prohibits the display of political content within the venue.
While BJP functionaries have defended the decision, arguing that the artist simply failed to follow official guidelines that bar political themes in art shows, the Congress party views the move as an act of targeted censorship.
Pawan Khera Exposes 'Double Standards'
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Pawan Khera challenged the narrative that Bikaner House maintains a neutral, non-political policy. To prove his point, Khera shared a video of an artwork displayed at the same venue in September 2025, which depicted Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside Mahatma Gandhi.
Khera argued that if the venue allows art that glorifies the Prime Minister, it cannot suddenly claim to be "apolitical" when protest-themed art is presented. He raised two primary points to highlight the hypocrisy:
- The Political Nature of Imagery: Khera noted that since the Prime Minister's face is prominently featured on everything from roadside banners to foodgrain bags as the source of government benefits, his image has become "deeply political."
- The Comparison with Gandhi: He asserted that portraying PM Modi on an equal footing with Mahatma Gandhi is, in itself, a powerful political statement.
'Glorification vs. Democracy'
The Congress leader suggested that the issue is not the presence of political art, but rather whose politics are being represented. He questioned why art that celebrates the Constitution, democracy, and the inherent right of citizens to protest is deemed unacceptable, while art that "pedestalises the master" is welcomed.
"Clearly, ‘political art’ is not the problem. The politics behind it is. If it glorifies and pedestalises the master, it is welcome. If it celebrates democracy, the Constitution and every citizen’s inherent right to protest, suddenly it is unacceptable," Khera stated.
The clash highlights a deepening divide over the boundaries of artistic expression and the role of government-run cultural spaces in the capital, as the debate shifts from a matter of gallery policy to a larger battle over democratic rights and political bias.