Jaipur, October 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has condemned the removal of more than 70 photographs from artist Raihan Vadra’s exhibition at Bikaner House in New Delhi, accusing the authorities of censorship and demanding an explanation from the BJP government.
In a post on X, Gehlot pointed out that Bikaner House is a Rajasthan government property and alleged that the incident amounted to suppressing the artistic expression of a young photographer.
According to Gehlot, several photographs in the exhibition depicted youth-led protests in Delhi. He alleged that the BJP was uncomfortable with these images being shown to the public and accused the government of attempting to conceal issues surrounding the movements.
Gehlot also claimed that Vadra was asked to remove two photographs featuring the Tricolour but refused to comply. He praised the artist for standing firm on the issue.
“Raihan Vadra was asked to remove two photographs featuring the Tricolour, but he firmly refused to do so. His steadfastness is commendable; he has demonstrated that there can be no compromise when it comes to the honour of the Tricolour,” Gehlot wrote on X.
Calling the removal of the photographs an attack on democratic values, the Congress leader demanded that the BJP government explain why the images were taken down.
“Silencing the voices of artists is a direct assault on democracy. It is a clear instance of censorship. The BJP government must provide an explanation as to why photographs that reveal the truth were removed,” he said.
Vadra, the son of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, also alleged that the management of the Rajasthan government-run venue had asked him to take down most of the photographs from his exhibition, No Idea Is Final, hours before it was scheduled to open on Wednesday evening.
“The photographs were of youth protests in Delhi,” Vadra said. “Apparently the content is ‘objectionable’,” he wrote on Instagram.
The controversy has raised questions about the removal of the photographs and the space available for artistic expression at a government-run venue.
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