'Cannot Be Stopped': Robert Vadra Defends Son Raihan After Bikaner House Art Row
Robert Vadra defends son Raihan's photography exhibition after Bikaner House objections. Congress leaders slam BJP for silencing expression.
Robert Vadra has come out in strong support of his son, Raihan Vadra, after the young photographer's exhibition faced sudden objections at Bikaner House in New Delhi. Speaking on the controversy, the husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra asserted that no one could prevent a young artist from showcasing his talent and vowed to find an alternative venue for the display.
A Father's Pride Amidst Controversy
Expressing deep pride in his son's resilience, Robert Vadra highlighted that Raihan has grown up witnessing the challenges faced by his family and his father. He described Raihan as a "very strong-headed person" who will not be deterred by these setbacks.
"I am very proud of Raihan. He has seen what the whole family goes through and has gone through, and what his father has gone through... He will find another location, and we will do it at another location," Vadra stated.
Questions Over Political Pressure
While Robert Vadra admitted he was unsure of the exact motivations behind the decision to object to the exhibition, he questioned whether the move was influenced by the Rajasthan government or other external pressures. He maintained that the artworks were not controversial but were simply a reflection of Raihan's creative perspective and mindset, particularly images captured during protests.
Protocol Followed, Yet Blocked
Vadra termed the situation "very unfortunate," noting that all necessary protocols had been followed. According to him, a PDF containing all the artworks was submitted to the Bikaner House administration well in advance.
He pointed out several key failures in the administration's handling of the event:
- Advance Notice: The administration had a full week to review the content and raise objections before the exhibition was officially accepted.
- Professional History: Raihan has been conducting exhibitions for six to seven years and has used Bikaner House as a platform multiple times, meaning he is well-versed in sensitivities and protocols.
- Industry Impact: Invitations had already been sent to members of the creative industry, including collectors and hotel owners interested in purchasing the work.
The Bone of Contention
The exhibition, titled 'No Idea Is Final', was slated to open on Thursday evening. However, Raihan Vadra alleged that the Bikaner House management took issue with photographs depicting youth protests in Delhi. Furthermore, he claimed he was instructed to remove two specific images that featured the Indian Tricolour.
Congress Leaders Slam 'Censorship'
The row quickly escalated into a political battle, with senior Congress leaders accusing the BJP-led government of stifling free speech.
Sachin Pilot took to X (formerly Twitter) to lash out at the ruling party, stating that silencing expression only exposes the government's "insecurities." He argued that a government fearing freedom of speech has forgotten the core essence of democracy.
Adding to the criticism, Congress leader Pawan Khera claimed that the government prefers to censor reality rather than confront "inconvenient truths." Khera suggested that any artwork, book, or photograph that challenges the government's "manufactured narrative" is being silenced.