Jaipur: Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra on Thursday condemned the removal of photographs from Raihan Vadra’s exhibition at Bikaner House in Delhi, accusing the BJP govt of curbing freedom of expression.
**EDS: WITH STORY** New Delhi: A visitor looks at the empty wall at Raihan Vadra’s exhibition, at Bikaner House in New Delhi, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (PTI Photo/Manish Sain)(PTI10_21_2026_000415B)**EDS: WITH STORY** New Delhi: A visitor looks at the empty wall at Raihan Vadra’s exhibition, at Bikaner House in New Delhi, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (PTI Photo/Manish Sain)(PTI10_21_2026_000415B)
In a post on X, Gehlot wrote, “More than 70 photographs were removed from Raihan Vadra’s photo exhibition at Bikaner House in Delhi. Bikaner House is the property of the Rajasthan government. This means that, under the watch of the BJP government, the artistic expression of a young artist was stifled, which is highly condemnable.“Several photographs in the exhibition depicted youth movements in Delhi. The truth that comes before the public is what frightens the BJP the most. A government that is rattled by a photo exhibition wants to conceal the unjustified actions taken during these movements.“Raihan Vadra was asked to remove two photographs featuring the Tricolour, but he categorically refused to do so. His resolve is commendable. He has demonstrated that there can be no compromise when it comes to respecting the Tricolour.“Suppressing the voices of artists is a direct attack on democracy. This is a clear example of censorship. The BJP government must answer why photographs depicting the truth were removed.”Dotasra also criticised the removal of the artworks, alleging that the BJP sought to silence dissent whenever it became inconvenient.In a post on X, Dotasra wrote, “Whenever dissent becomes inconvenient, the BJP’s answer is to silence it.“74 artworks from Raihan Vadra’s exhibition at Delhi’s Bikaner House were removed. Artworks depicting peaceful protests were taken down for being “too political.”“Bikaner House is the property of the Rajasthan government, and this authoritarian decision was taken under the BJP government’s direction. The BJP is afraid of the truth and uncomfortable with voices that question those in power. Silencing art will not silence dissent.“This is the state of freedom of expression under the Modi government. But how long will this suppression continue?“I congratulate Raihan Vadra on his solo exhibition. His work will continue to challenge those in power and speak truth to power.”
