An exhibition of Raihan Vadra, the son of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, has witnessed a major controversy after the management of Delhi's Bikaner House, the venue, allegedly directed him to remove 75 of the 105 pictures on display, including two of the Indian national flag, citing the political nature of the prevailing political landscape.

Vadra's pictures were related to recent protests in Delhi, with one prominently showing his uncle and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi. He alleged that the decision was taken at the last minute. He also alleged that two of the photographs directed to be removed were of the national flag, even as he had already set aside pictures containing political slogans.

Vadra said that he confronted the officials over the removal of two images, seeking written clarification for such direction.

Speaking to news agency PTI, he said, "I said, ‘But they are just pictures of the Indian flag. I do not think there is anything in your policy that says photographs of the Indian flag have to be removed’. At that point, I firmly told them to put their demand in writing if they wanted me to remove the photographs of the Indian flag. They did not send me anything in writing."

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Congress slams removal of national flag picture 

Reacting to the controversy, Congress MP Jebi Mathur cited freedom of expression to target the government. She said, "Why is the government so scared? Why is the BJP so scared of Raihan Vadra's creativity and talent? If he is showcasing photographs and conducting an exhibition, why is he being stopped? This shows that the BJP is not just scared of protests or of youths holding the National Flag in the national Capital," she said.

Another Congress leader, Udit Raj, stressed that everyone has the right to hoist the national flag. "Everyone has the right to hoist and display the National Flag. I do not understand why such restrictions exist here," he said.

CJP's Lehar Do Tiranga march

The Indian national flag has recently been at the centre of protests, making Vadra's claim significant. On October 13, CJP leader Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka trespassed at Jantar Mantar with national flags, a day after it was de-notified as a protest site.

While the police acted, calling it a breach of bail bond and trespassing, CJP leadership maintained that they were arrested for waving the national flag.

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The CJP mounted its attack against the Delhi Police and government with the announcement of the 'Lehra Do Tiranga' protest at Connaught Place's Central Park on October 16.

Abhijeet Dipke led the protest amid restrictions under BNSS 163 and no formal permission. Dipke was also prevented from reaching the protest site and was detained for breach of the bail bond that he had signed on October 11 during his release.