Kerala CM Offers to Host Raihan Vadra's Exhibition After Delhi Photo Row

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Thursday offered to host the complete exhibition of artist and photographer Raihan Vadra, son of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, following a controversy over the reported removal of photographs depicting protests in Delhi.

The offer came a day after Raihan alleged that the administration of Bikaner House in Delhi had removed several photographs from his solo exhibition, No Idea Is Final. He claimed that officials had warned him that the exhibition could be cancelled if the pictures were not taken down by 5 pm on Wednesday.

“Kerala would be happy and proud to host Raihan Vadra's No Idea Is Final exhibition in its entirety. No exclusions, no exceptions,” Satheesan said in a post on X, tagging Raihan and Priyanka Gandhi.

Raihan had said that he shared the exhibition proposal and layout with the Bikaner House management well in advance. He maintained that the photographs carried no political message and documented protests held over the past six months.

Priyanka Gandhi strongly criticised the reported removal of the photographs, arguing that those in power who fear artistic expression ultimately undermine the very authority they seek to protect. Describing the move as “ridiculous”, the Congress MP accused the authorities of muzzling the voices of young people across the country.

A Bikaner House official, meanwhile, said the administration was “not authorised to comment” on the matter. The BJP rejected the allegations, with party spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari describing them as “fake news” on Thursday.

Bhandari said Bikaner House policy did not permit the display of political content. He also targeted Priyanka Gandhi, asking her to find another way to “launch” her son into politics.

The controversy has triggered a political exchange over the exhibition and the reported removal of the photographs. Satheesan's offer provides an alternative venue for Raihan's work, with the Kerala chief minister making clear that the exhibition would be hosted without exclusions.

The exhibition's future arrangements in Kerala were not specified in the announcement.