Raihan Vadra Says Bikaner House Asked Him to Remove Protest Photographs from His Exhibition

Raihan Vadra, the visual artist and son of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, spoke out against the management at New Delhi’s Bikaner House for forcing him to remove artworks that showcased student protests in Bikaner. According to him, he was asked to take down most of his works prior to his solo exhibition titled ‘No idea Is Final’. Vadra said the management objected to the content in his photographs.

Raihan Vadra Statement Against Bikaner Management

Vadra also stated that the Bikaner management did not approve of the images that displayed the Delhi youth protests following which they wanted removal of two of his photographs which highlighted Tiranga (Indian flag). In response he didn’t paid attention to their demand.

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In his post, he denied to delete the photo of the Indian national flag. Indeed, the Bikaner management expressed disapproval, but Vadra is also adamant to carry his exhibition forward. At this stage, only some part of this collection would be on display. According to him, he will seek for an alternative venue option to highlight his removed photographs so that it will be possible for him to show his complete collection.

Raihan Vadra also mentioned about the sharing of the exhibition schedule and layout with the Bikaner House management in advance, and now he finds it inappropriate to drop down his half artworks less than a day before the opening. The documentation of the Delhi protests by Raihan Vadra with a series of noir-style photographs.

The images depicted the intense atmosphere in central Delhi, featuring the detention of protestors by the police. One photograph showed Rahul Gandhi, Vadra's maternal uncle, in the crowd.

Opposition-led demonstrations demanded the resignation of the CEC (Chief Election Commissioner), Gyanesh Kumar, over irregularities in the election process. Protestors also called for the withdrawal of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls.

Raihan Vadra Name Change

Regarding the name change of Raihan Vadra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the Rajya Sabha, pointed out that no one from the Gandhi family uses Nehru's surname. In response, the Congress disliked his statement and condemned it. But it was not only PM Modi who raised the controversy around the Gandhi versus Gandhi surname; other political leaders also made comments on Twitter.

Pointing to Robert Vadra's son, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Amit Malviya tweeted about the spelling of Rehan's name, which is Rehan Rajiv Gandhi. According to him, if he can write his name using his maternal grandfather's name in the middle, then what is wrong with the family using the Nehru surname?

Other than Malviya, Andhra Pradesh BJP leader Vishnu Vardhan Reddy also said in his tweet that Congress people were shouting about the Gandhi family's issue with Rajiv Gandhi's surname. When history was checked, it was Ghandy, not Gandhi. This triggered controversy over why Priyanka and Robert Vadra's son, Raihan, is using his maternal grandfather's name.

Hitting back at PM Modi's surname comment, Congress slammed him, not directly naming him; someone responsible for the nation is expected to know India's culture and not utter such words. According to Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, Modi must ask anyone in the country about using a maternal grandfather's surname.

Raihan Vadra Wife

Aviva Baig is Raihan Vadra's longtime partner and fiancée. However, they have not yet married. Baig is said to be the co-founder of Atelier 11, and has other profiles as a photographer in Delhi, a football player (national level), and a creative producer.

She and Raihan began dating in late December last year, after seven years together. One more key fact about Baig is that she is the daughter of Imran Baig and Nandita Baig. Her father is a businessman, while her mother works in interior design. Baig's family has long been associated with the Vadra family.

Raihan Vadra Age

Born on 29th August, 2000, Raihan is currently 29 years old. Known as the son of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Robert Vadra (a businessman), he is also an accomplished visual artist with a keen interest in photography. He graduated from the Doon School and SOAS, University of London.

Unknown Facts About Miraya Vadra

Miraya Vadra is Raihan Vadra's sister and the daughter of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Robert Vadra. She is also the granddaughter of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Also the niece of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, she is 24 and connected to the Nehru-Gandhi political family. Miraya completed her education at Welham Girls' School in Dehradun, and later pursued higher studies in the United Kingdom.

She also graduated from Scotland University. Miraya has a keen interest in sports and has even played basketball at the school level, representing her state in 2016. Moreover, she is also an expert driving instructor. Unlike other family members with a political footprint, she is not active in this field. Miraya accompanied her maternal uncle, Rahul Gandhi, during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022.

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