Don't troll him: Assam CM defends minister whose daughter joined NEET protest

Videos of Keshab Mahanta's daughter at a NEET protest drew a response from Himanta Biswa Sarma. The Chief Minister said adult children's actions should not be linked to their parents.Sarma stressed that once children become adults, their actions and political beliefs should not be linked to those of their parents. (Credits: File Photo)Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday defended Cabinet colleague Keshab Mahanta after videos of the minister's daughter participating in a protest over alleged NEET examination irregularities went viral, saying parents should not be judged by the political choices of their adult children.The controversy erupted after Dibisa Mahanta, daughter of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leader and Assam Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta, was seen at a protest in Guwahati on Thursday demanding accountability over the alleged examination irregularities and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.Videos circulating on social media purportedly showed Dibisa raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and calling for Pradhan's resignation. PTI reported that it could not independently verify the authenticity of the clips.Responding to the controversy, Sarma said Keshab Mahanta should not be criticised or trolled because of his daughter's participation in the protest. 'DON'T ATTACK HIM FOR HIS DAUGHTER'"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," the Chief Minister said.Drawing a parallel with his own family, Sarma added, "Tomorrow when my son practises law, he may defend someone whom I may not like." He stressed that once children become adults, their actions and political beliefs should not be linked to those of their parents.At the same time, Sarma said he did not agree with the slogans allegedly raised by Dibisa during the protest. "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 said.The protest in Guwahati was organised to highlight alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and to demand the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Union Education Minister.There was no immediate reaction from Keshab Mahanta over the controversy. According to PTI, attempts to contact the minister for comment were unsuccessful.- EndsWith PTI inputsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Jul 25, 2026 23:56 IST