Congress MP Shashi Tharoor decries removal of protest photos from Delhi exhibition

Shashi Tharoor condemned the decision to pull several protest photographs from Raihan Vadra's exhibition at New Delhi's Bikaner House, calling it a multi-level disgrace that tarnishes India's standing as a democracy. He argued the images simply document events already widely reported and should not be deemed political content. The Bikaner House Management Society said the removed works breached its internal guidelines, though other pieces remain on display.

The controversy sparked a partisan clash, with Congress denouncing censorship and the BJP insisting the venue's rules must be respected. Kerala chief minister VD Satheesan offered to showcase the entire collection in the state, a move questioned by BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar as preferential treatment. Tharoor noted the publicity may inadvertently boost Raihan Vadra's profile despite the curtailment.