Party leaders questioned why images featuring the national flag were deemed objectionable, with the Youth Congress organising mock exhibitions in protest. Defending his artistic expression, Raihan Vadra stated that cultural institutions have a duty towards artists and that removing over 70 images hours before the opening was unfair.
The Bharatiya Janata Party accused the Congress of politicising the venue's standard rules to launch Vadra politically. Meanwhile, wildlife photographs from the collection remained on display as both sides engaged in a sharp political showdown.