Former CM expresses outrage over the removal of Rehan Vadra’s photographs
The Sunday Mail
New Delhi. Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, has launched a sharp attack on the government, expressing deep displeasure over the removal of more than 70 photographs from Rehan Vadra’s exhibition at Bikaner House. In a post, he stated that Bikaner House is a property of the Rajasthan government; therefore, the stifling of a young artist’s work under the watch of the BJP government is highly condemnable. Gehlot noted that the exhibition featured several photographs related to youth-led movements in Delhi. He remarked that the BJP fears nothing more than the truth being revealed to the public. A government that feels threatened by a photo exhibition is clearly attempting to conceal the inappropriate actions taken during these movements. He added that Rehan Vadra was asked to remove two photographs featuring the Tricolour, but he firmly refused—a display of resolve that is truly commendable. He demonstrated that there can be no compromise when it comes to the honour of the Tricolour. Suppressing the voices of artists is a direct assault on democracy and a clear instance of censorship. The BJP government must explain why photographs that convey the truth were removed.
Exhibition titled ‘No Idea is Final’
Rehan Vadra has been holding exhibitions at Bikaner House annually. This year, he presented an exhibition titled ‘No Idea is Final’. The exhibition is organized under the aegis of the Bikaner House Management Committee. Rehan had provided full details of his photographs to the committee; however, they did not scrutinize the images at the time and granted permission for the exhibition. Once the photographs were displayed at the venue, the organizers took issue with those depicting the protests at Jantar Mantar and other locations in Delhi, and subsequently demanded their removal. This escalated the controversy and led to the politicization of the issue. The Congress lashed out at the BJP government, while the BJP hit back by framing the incident as a political launchpad for Vadra.
