Story perspectives

Bikaner House orders artist to remove 70 photos

By Drooid · Oct 24, 2026, 4:14 AM UTC · How we work

Left

Censorship of protest images

Bikaner House in Delhi ordered artist Raihan Vadra to remove 70 of 105 photographs before “No Idea Is Final” exhibition opening on October 22.
Raihan Vadra alleged that the Rajasthan state government intervened, prompting a consensus to ban images documenting recent Delhi protests.
The removed photos depicted police confronting demonstrators and Rahul Gandhi leading a march.
Ashok Gehlot and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called the cuts censorship and an attack on democracy.

Right

Gandhi Family Power Play

Bikaner House ordered Raihan Vadra to remove 70 of 105 photographs for “No Idea Is Final” exhibition on October 22, before opening.
BJP claimed removal was being used by Gandhi family as a launch, accusing them of putting themselves above law.
Bikaner House said the photos breached its policy prohibiting political, communal or nudity content.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called removal ridiculous, said authorities muzzled youth voices, while praising her son.

Center

Last Minute Ban

Bikaner House in Delhi ordered artist Raihan Vadra to remove 70+ of 105 photographs for exhibition “No Idea Is Final” on October 22, hours before opening.
Vadra said he submitted exhibition layout a week earlier and received no objections until a 3:30 pm notice on opening day.
The Management Society reiterated that exhibitions must follow its policy.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra posted on X supporting her son and calling removal muzzling youth voices.

Blindspot

Raihan Vadra alleged that the Rajasthan state government intervened, leading to a consensus to ban the protest photographs from his “No Idea Is Final” exhibition.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center- and Right-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

On 25 June 1975 President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, on Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s advice, proclaimed a national Emergency that suspended civil liberties, halted political reporting in papers such as The Times of India and The Indian Express, and led to the detention of over 100,000 opponents. The episode, one of only three Indian emergencies, remains a cautionary example of unchecked executive power.

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Censorship of protest images

Bikaner House in Delhi ordered artist Raihan Vadra to remove 70 of 105 photographs before “No Idea Is Final” exhibition opening on October 22.
Raihan Vadra alleged that the Rajasthan state government intervened, prompting a consensus to ban images documenting recent Delhi protests.
The removed photos depicted police confronting demonstrators and Rahul Gandhi leading a march.
Ashok Gehlot and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called the cuts censorship and an attack on democracy.

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