As the row over the removal of photographs on the recent protests in Delhi from Raihan Vadra’s exhibition intensified on Thursday, the Bikaner House Society said it had sought the removal after finding that some of them …

As the row over the removal of photographs on the recent protests in Delhi from Raihan Vadra’s exhibition intensified on Thursday, the Bikaner House Society said it had sought the removal after finding that some of them were inconsistent with its policy. It added that the remaining pictures continued to be displayed.Artist and photographer Raihan Vadra, the son of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Robert Vadra, on Wednesday said the Bikaner House administration had taken down several of his photographs depicting recent protests in Delhi ahead of a solo exhibition, triggering a controversy.Was forced to remove photos of Delhi protest from exhibition: Priyanka Gandhi’s son RaihanPriyanka Gandhi termed the move “ridiculous”, accusing the authorities of “muzzling” the voice of the youth across the nation.”Today it’s him, tomorrow it’ll be another artist,” she told PTI.However, in a statement, the society said it is a public cultural institution dedicated to promoting art and culture, and that exhibitions and associated activities must comply with the Bikaner House Management Society Policy.The exhibition, titled “No Idea is Final”, was previewed on Wednesday and opened on Thursday.”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,” the society said.When someone with power becomes afraid: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s veiled dig at govt over row surrounding son’s exhibition”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 show would be cancelled if the photographs were not removed by 5 pm. He also said he had shared the detailed proposal and layout of the exhibition with the Bikaner House management well in advance.In a message tagging Raihan, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took a veiled swipe at the Modi government, saying, “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”.Addressing her son, she said, “You stand for what is true, and everything beautiful will find its way to you. I am proud of you, always will be.”

Source: Deccan Herald