New Delhi, 22 October (H.S.): The Bikaner House Management Society on Thursday stated that compliance with its policies is mandatory for exhibitions and related activities held on its premises, amid a controversy surrounding an exhibition by Rehan Vadra, son of Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

In a statement, the society described Bikaner House as a public cultural institution dedicated to the promotion of art and culture. It emphasised that all exhibitions and associated activities organised within its premises must adhere to the policies established by the management society.

The society said that certain photographs displayed as part of Rehan Vadra’s exhibition, titled “No Idea Is Final”, were found to be inconsistent with its policy. Accordingly, a request was made to remove those photographs. However, the photographs that complied with the society’s guidelines have continued to be displayed.

The controversy arose after Rehan Vadra, an artist and photographer and the son of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Robert Vadra, said on Thursday that the Bikaner House administration had removed several photographs depicting recent protests in Delhi ahead of his solo exhibition.

The photographs in question reportedly included black-and-white street images featuring protesters, crowds, police personnel and scenes involving the Indian national flag. The management reportedly removed them on the grounds that they constituted political content.

Reacting to the development, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shared an emotional message, stating, “When those in power begin to fear another person’s expression, they may not even realise it, but they have already lost the very power they are trying to protect.”

In her message, she also encouraged her son to continue standing up for the truth, adding that everything beautiful would come his way. She expressed pride in him, saying that she was proud of him and would always remain so.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar