Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has found himself facing fresh political scrutiny after his daughter, Naimisha Pradhan, reportedly deactivated her Instagram account following a wave of online criticism linked to her higher education in the United States. The controversy has unfolded against the backdrop of the ongoing protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, with demonstrators demanding the minister’s resignation.
Social Media Backlash Targets Minister’s Daughter
According to reports, Naimisha Pradhan completed her Master of Laws (LLM) from a university in Massachusetts, United States, in 2023. As protests over examination irregularities intensified, several social media users began highlighting her foreign education, questioning why the daughter of India’s Education Minister pursued higher studies overseas while students in India continue to raise concerns over the country’s examination system.
The criticism quickly spread across social media platforms, with users tagging Naimisha’s Instagram account and commenting on older posts. Soon after, her Instagram profile was reportedly deactivated.
University Posts Also Draw Online Attention
The controversy extended beyond Naimisha’s personal account, with several users commenting on posts made by her university. Some demanded Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the ongoing NEET controversy, while others questioned the decision to pursue higher education abroad.
One widely shared social media post claimed that her foreign education reflected a lack of confidence in India’s education system. The post argued that many Indian students would also choose overseas education if they had similar financial opportunities.
Many Users Urge Public Not to Target Family Members
While criticism continued online, several users objected to targeting the minister’s daughter, arguing that family members should not be drawn into political controversies.
One social media user wrote, “Dragging a family member into it, especially someone who isn’t the decision maker, crosses a line.” Another added that accountability should remain focused on elected representatives rather than their relatives, saying, “Criticise those in power, question their actions, and demand change.”
Controversy Comes Amid Ongoing NEET Protests
The online backlash comes as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continues its protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and examination reforms. Protesters have been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging repeated failures in the country’s examination system.
The issue gained further momentum after police action against protesters during the “Chalo Sansad” march, leading to widespread political reactions and criticism from several Opposition parties.
Pradhan Accuses Congress of Politicising Student Issue
Responding to the ongoing protests, Dharmendra Pradhan accused the Congress and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of attempting to use students’ concerns for political purposes.
In a post on X, Pradhan said, “LoP Shri @RahulGandhi and @INCIndia continue to shamelessly exploit students as political tools to manufacture disruption during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.”
He also criticised the Opposition’s protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence, alleging it disrupted public movement and ignored established security protocols.
Reiterating the Centre’s position, the minister said the government remains prepared to discuss NEET and examination-related concerns in Parliament.
“We owe our students more than outrage. We owe them answers, reforms and accountability. That is exactly what our government remains committed to delivering,” Pradhan said.
The episode has added a new dimension to the political debate surrounding the NEET controversy, with discussions now extending beyond government policy to the online scrutiny of the families of public office holders.
