Bikaner House authorities in Delhi removed over 70 protest photographs from an art exhibition by Raihan Vadra, the son of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, citing the current political climate. The administration warned that the show would be cancelled unless the images documenting recent youth movements were taken down. While Raihan Vadra condemned the action as censorship of an artist's duty, Priyanka Gandhi strongly supported her son, stating that those in power who fear expression have already lost their authority.

Bikaner House authorities in Delhi removed over 70 protest photographs from an art exhibition by Raihan Vadra, the son of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, citing the current political climate. The administration warned that the show would be cancelled unless the images documenting recent youth movements were taken down. While Raihan Vadra condemned the action as censorship of an artist's duty, Priyanka Gandhi strongly supported her son, stating that those in power who fear expression have already lost their authority.

Bikaner House authorities in Delhi removed over 70 protest photographs from an art exhibition by Raihan Vadra, the son of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, citing the current political climate. The administration warned that the show would be cancelled unless the images documenting recent youth movements were taken down. While Raihan Vadra condemned the action as censorship of an artist's duty, Priyanka Gandhi strongly supported her son, stating that those in power who fear expression have already lost their authority.

Amid protests by Opposition parties and the Cockroach Janta Party against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, an exhibition by Priyanka Gandhi's son, Raihan Vadra, came under the spotlight after officials removed several protest photographs from his showcase at Delhi's Bikaner House.

The Bikaner House administration has pulled down over 70 photographs showcased by Raihan Vadra, including pictures from a 'Tiranga March' protest.

While reacting to the incident, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi on Thursday said, "You stand for what is true, and everything beautiful will find its way to you. I am proud of you, always will be," she said.

Tagging Raihan Vadra, Priyanka Gandhi took a veiled jibe at the Modi government. "When someone with power becomes afraid of the expression of another, he doesn't know it, but he has already lost the very power he is trying to protect," she added.  

On Wednesday, Raihan had said that he was told by the administration that if the images are not taken down, the show will be cancelled.

He also said that he had shared the detailed proposal and layout of the show well in advance with the Bikaner House administration.

"They told us at 3.30 pm today that if the images are not taken down by 5 pm, the show will be cancelled. They said it is not the right time for such photos to be shown," Raihan told PTI.

He further said none of the images "gave out any political message and only documented the protests over the last 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," he added.

The reason given by the Bikaner House administration for removing the photos was: "Given the current context and political climate in India, this is not the right time to show those images."

Priyanka Vadra termed the act as ridiculous and a "muzzling" of the voice of the youth across the nation.

Over 100 photographs of wildlife, abstract works and street photography of the recent youth movements in India were initially part of the show.