Bikaner House removed all 70 of my photographs without giving any reason: Rehan Vadra

October 22, 2026

New Delhi: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s son, artist and photographer Rehan Vadra, has alleged that the Bikaner House administration ordered the removal of all 70 photographs from his exhibition despite his cooperation. He said the administration did not provide any clear reason for this.

The controversy erupted when Rehan Vadra alleged that the Bikaner House administration asked him to remove more than 70 photographs shortly before the opening of his solo exhibition, “No Idea is Final.”

Cooperated fully with the administration: Rehan Vadra

Rehan Vadra said that what happened to him was wrong. He said he had read Bikaner House’s policy regarding political content and selected the photographs accordingly.

Rehan said, “We did not use any political slogans and the photographs did not feature many political leaders.”

He said he was initially asked to remove some of the photos. He expressed his willingness to cooperate with the administration.

According to Rehan, they were told that four or five photos could be removed if necessary, but a reason should be given.

He said, “However, we were not given any explanation. Instead, they asked us to remove all 70 photos. I believe this was wrong.”

Artists’ freedom of expression must be protected

Rehan Vadra said that public institutions like Bikaner House have a responsibility to uphold and protect the freedom of expression of artists, gallery operators, and others.

He said he was told that his photos were against the institution’s policy.

Rehan said, “These photos are also present on my Instagram page. If you look at them, you will see that most of the photos feature ordinary people. They are involved in protests, but they are ordinary citizens.”

He also suggested that the administration should make its policies more clear and explain the process for determining what content is considered political.

Rehan said, “Most art is political. If you don’t agree with it, you shouldn’t implement such policies. I wasn’t given any clear reason.”

Participated in the protest as both an artist and an individual

When Rehan was asked if he supported the protesters, he said he participated in the protest as both an artist and an individual.

He said, “Yes, I participated in the protest as both a participant and an artist. I support it as an artist and an individual.”

The exhibition was scheduled to run from Thursday to Sunday

A preview of Rehan Vadra’s exhibition, “No Idea is Final,” was held on Wednesday. It was scheduled to run from Thursday to Sunday.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Rehan stated that Bikaner House management had asked him to remove most of the artworks displayed in the exhibition.

He wrote that his exhibition, inaugurated at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, included photographs of youth protests in Delhi. According to him, the administration had deemed the content of these photographs “objectionable.”

Rehan also alleged that the management had instructed him to remove two photographs of the tricolor, but he refused to do so.

He said, “I will not remove the photograph of the Indian national flag.”

Tighten architecture and flow, balance accusatory language, and clarify 70 and over 70