CM Satheesan offers to host Raihan Vadra's exhibition in Keralam

CM Satheesan offers to host Raihan Vadra's exhibition in Keralam left Raihan Vadra, nephew of Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and son of Indian National Congress (INC) leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, poses at the entrance to his exhibition at Bikaner House in New Delhi, India, October 22, 2026. Reuters Reuters https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/fpglso/article71614498.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2026-10-22T122135Z_203128000_RC2A8OA1TOVK_RTRMADP_3_INDIA-POLITICS-ART.JPG ANUSHREE FADNAVIS Raihan Vadra, nephew of Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and son of Indian National Congress (INC) leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, poses at the entrance to his exhibition at Bikaner House in New Delhi, India, October 22, 2026, after photographs documenting youth protests were removed from display. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Raihan Vadra said the Bikaner House administration in Delhi pulled down many of his pictures of the protests at his solo exhibition, 'No Idea Is Final'

Thiruvananthapuram

Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan has offered to host the exhibition of artist and photographer Raihan Vadra, son of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in Keralam, amid a controversy over the removal of some of his photographs depicting Delhi protests.

Raihan Vadra said the Bikaner House administration in Delhi pulled down many of his pictures of the protests at his solo exhibition, 'No Idea Is Final'.

He claimed that the Bikaner House administration had warned him that the exhibition could be cancelled if he did not take down the pictures by 5 p.m. on Wednesday (October 21, 2026).

Congress raises censorship concerns after Bikaner House asks Raihan Vadra to remove 70 'protest' photographs Congress raises censorship concerns after Bikaner House asks Raihan Vadra to remove 70 'protest' photographs Raihan Vadra, son of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, argued that a detailed proposal and outline of the exhibition were shared well in advance with the management; the management issues statement that photographs deemed consistent with the society's policy continued to be displayed Congress raises censorship concerns after Bikaner House asks Raihan Vadra to remove 70 'protest' photographs storyline 1

"Keralam would be happy and proud to host Raihan Vadra's No Idea Is Final exhibition in its entirety. No exclusions, no exceptions," Mr. Satheesan said in a post on X on Thursday (October 23, 2026), tagging Raihan Vadra and Priyanka Gandhi.

Raihan Vadra said on Wednesday (October 21, 2026) that he had shared the exhibition proposal and layout with the Bikaner House management well in advance.

The photographs did not carry any political message but documented protests over the past six months, he had said.

Priyanka Gandhi had strongly criticised the move, saying that those in power who fear artistic expression end up losing the very power they seek to protect.

Calling the removal of the photographs "ridiculous", the Congress MP accused the authorities of "muzzling" the voices of young people across the country.

While a Bikaner House official said the administration was "not authorised to comment" on the matter, the BJP termed the allegations "fake news".

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on Thursday said Bikaner House policy did not permit the display of political content and asked Priyanka Gandhi to find another way to "launch" her son into politics.