Assam minister's daughter participates in CJP protest, triggers debate

The participation of Assam minister Keshab Mahanta's daughter, Dibisha Mahanta, in a student protest demanding the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Guwahati has sparked widespread discussion. The matter became the talk of social media, prompting Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to respond to criticism aimed at the minister.

The student protest was held recently at Chaichal in Guwahati under heavy police and CRPF deployment. Dibisha Mahanta participated in the demonstration, criticised the Modi government, condemned police lathi-charges and tear gas shelling, and praised the courage of the protesting students.

Dibisha's father, Keshab Mahanta, is a leader of the Asom Gana Parishad, an ally of the BJP, and serves as Assam's Revenue and Disaster Management Minister. Dibisha, who holds two postgraduate degrees from the UK, became the subject of widespread social media debate over her involvement.

Addressing the matter at a press conference, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said it is not right to hold parents responsible for the actions of adult children.

He said, "If my child says something, how can I answer for it? My own brother or child also disagrees with me on many things. The girl spoke against Modiji, and I did not like it. But that does not mean her father Keshab Mahanta should be humiliated."

Meanwhile, Assam Police have arrested at least six people on charges of conspiring to undermine India's sovereignty and integrity in connection with the protest.

It may be noted that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following nationwide protests over the NEET exam paper leak allegations, after which political debates over irregularities in the education system intensified in various states.