‘She may not follow her father…’: Assam minister’s daughter joins NEET protest; CM Himanta reacts

Assam Minister’s Daughter Joins NEET Protest: CM Himanta’s Reaction

Political Dimension Emerges in Guwahati Demonstration

Bharatmorningnews.com – A significant demonstration in Guwahati regarding alleged examination irregularities and demands for Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation has taken on a notable political dimension. The protest gained considerable attention when Dibisa Mahanta, daughter of Keshab Mahanta—an Asom Gana Parishad leader who currently serves as Assam’s revenue and disaster management minister—joined the gathering.

Video footage circulating on social media platforms appears to show Dibisa actively participating in the rally. In these widely shared clips, she can be observed chanting slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi while simultaneously calling for Pradhan to step down from his ministerial position.

Chief Minister Defends Cabinet Colleague

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma publicly expressed his support for Keshab Mahanta on Sunday after the videos began spreading across various platforms. The chief minister strongly argued that Mahanta should not be subjected to criticism or online harassment simply because of his daughter’s participation in the protest.

“I don’t think we should attack or troll Keshab Mahanta for the protest by his daughter. She may not follow her father’s political ideology. Tomorrow when my son will practice law, he may defend someone whom I may not like,” Sarma told PTI reporters.

According to Sarma, it would be fundamentally unfair to hold parents responsible for the political decisions or public activities undertaken by their adult children. He emphasized that once children reach adulthood, they possess the inherent right to form independent opinions and take their own course of action without those choices being attributed to their parents.

CM’s Personal Position on the Slogans

While defending Keshab Mahanta from potential backlash, Sarma made it clear that he personally disagreed with the slogans Dibisa raised during the demonstration. He mentioned his intention to have a meaningful conversation with her during their next meeting.

“I do not agree with the slogans she raised. When I meet her next time, I will definitely talk to her about it and try to make her understand that what she said was not right,” he stated to the media.

Minister’s Response Still Pending

As of the latest reports, Keshab Mahanta has not offered any official comment regarding the situation involving his daughter. PTI reported that multiple efforts to reach the Assam minister for his statement proved unsuccessful.

The Guwahati rally centered on alleged irregularities in examinations and included various demands for Pradhan’s resignation from his ministerial role. The protest highlighted growing concerns among students and parents about examination fairness and transparency in the NEET process.

The incident has sparked broader discussions about political independence among younger generations and the evolving relationship between parents and children in public life. Sarma’s comments reflect a growing recognition that adult children should be allowed to express their own political views without being constrained by their parents’ positions.