Congress leader Pawan Khera on Sunday slammed former BJP IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya and the ruling dispensation, accusing them of blatant double standards regarding cultural policies and art censorship.
Khera argued that if pro-establishment messaging is permitted at the venue, restricting documentation of democratic protests exposes political hypocrisy. “At a time when Modi’s face is plastered on everything from foodgrain bags to roadside banners, projecting him as the source of every benefit, that face becomes deeply political. Portraying Modi, rather wishfully, on an equal footing with Mahatma Gandhi is a political statement in itself. This raises serious questions about the double standards of Bikaner House and, by extension, the government. Clearly, ‘political art’ is not the problem. The politics behind it is. If it glorifies and pedestalises the master, it is welcome. If it celebrates democracy, the Constitution and every citizen’s inherent right to protest, suddenly it is unacceptable” he added. pointing to official guidelines that bar political content in art shows, Congress leaders called it an act of state censorship While BJP functionaries backed the decision.
In a post on X, Khera posted a video showcasing an artwork previously displayed at Bikaner House in September 2025 that depicted Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside Mahatma Gandhi . Raihan Vadra, son of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, had planned to display 105 images documenting youth-led protests and civic movements across Delhi at his solo photography show at Bikaner House. However, just hours before the public opening, the Bikaner House administration, which functions under the Rajasthan government, asked for 75 photographs to be removed, citing its policy against political content at the venue.
The politics behind it is,” he said.
