'Will Not Take Down Indian Flag': Raihan Vadra Alleges Censorship at Bikaner House
Raihan Vadra, son of Priyanka Gandhi, claims Bikaner House forced him to remove protest photos and the Indian flag from his art show.
In a dramatic clash between art and administration, Raihan Vadra, the son of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, has alleged that the management of Bikaner House forced him to remove a significant portion of his artworks just hours before the opening of his exhibition, "No Idea Is Final." The dispute centers on photographs documenting youth protests in Delhi, which the management reportedly deemed "objectionable."
The Conflict Over 'Objectionable' Content
Taking to Instagram to voice his frustration, Raihan revealed that the Bikaner House management demanded the removal of the "bulk" of his displayed works. According to the artist, the targeted photos were those documenting student protests and various demonstrations within the capital.
The tension escalated when the management allegedly directed him to remove two photographs featuring the Tiranga (the Indian National Flag). Raihan stood his ground on this point, stating firmly, "I have refused. I will not take down a picture of the Indian flag."
While the show proceeded in a limited capacity, Raihan indicated that he is prepared to seek an alternative venue to display the full collection of protest photography if necessary.
Congress Leaders Slam 'Regime' Censorship
The incident quickly evolved into a political firestorm, with senior Congress leaders condemning the move as a sign of an intolerant administration.
Pawan Khera, Chairman of the Media & Publicity Department of the AICC, questioned the basis of the censorship. He revealed that 74 artworks—nearly half of the entire exhibition—were stripped from the walls for being "political."
"When even the Tricolour isn’t safe from the censor’s scissors, perhaps the problem isn’t the art. It’s the regime," Khera stated, adding that the photographs were merely documentation and were neither derogatory nor inflammatory.
Khera painted a vivid picture of the scene, describing how the removal of the art left "nothing but exposed iron nails, gleaming under the spotlights," which he called a "chilling metaphor for censorship." He argued that the government has become so threatened by ideas and protests that even photographs of them, and the national flag itself, have become intolerable.
Widespread Condemnation
The backlash extended to other prominent political figures and wings of the party:
- Karti Chidambaram: The Congress MP took to X (formerly Twitter) to describe the behavior of the establishment controlling Bikaner House as "obtuse" and "churlish."
- Indian Youth Congress (IYC) Legal Cell: In a sharp post on X, the IYC Legal Cell claimed that the authorities are attempting to hide the truth, stating, "YOU CAN CENSOR THE FRAME. NOT THE TRUTH. Saheb dara hua hai (sir is scared)."