Amid CJP protest, Dharmendra Pradhan's daughter deactivates Instagram as trolls target her over studying abroad

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's daughter, Naimisha Pradhan, has deactivated her Instagram account after facing massive flak amid the ongoing protest by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), a youth-led movement seeking education reforms.

Naimisha has come under online scrutiny over her decision to study abroad. She earned a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Massachusetts, US.

Anger on social media intensified after police took action against student protesters during the CJP's march towards Parliament earlier this week.

Users traced Naimisha's Instagram account and left comments on several of her posts. Many also tagged her in posts and videos questioning why she studied abroad while her father oversees India's education system.

Several Instagram users shared posts claiming Naimisha chose to study abroad because of shortcomings in India's education system. Some also tagged Tufts University and demanded action against her.

One post read: “You're studying abroad because you know what millions of Indian students already know: our education system is failing them,” adding that many other students would also leave India if they had “the privilege and the money.”

Social media users also posted comments on Tufts University's Instagram page, raising slogans such as "Dharmendra Pradhan resign" and calling for Naimisha's suspension from the university.

However, Naimisha reportedly completed her LLM in 2023 and now works as a senior associate at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF).

'Dragging a family member into it, especially someone who isn't a decision-maker, crosses a line'

Several users argued that criticism should remain focused on the education minister rather than his family.

"Dragging a family member into it, especially someone who isn't the decision maker, crosses a line," one user wrote. The user added: “Criticize those in power, question their actions, and demand change.”

Dharmendra Pradhan on protest

Meanwhile, Dharmendra Pradhan responded publicly to the ongoing CJP protest and criticised the Congress and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

In a post on X, the Union minister 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 accused Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders of staging a sit-in outside the Prime Minister's residence, saying they had caused inconvenience to the public and ignored security arrangements.

Pradhan said the government had already expressed its willingness to discuss NEET and other concerns raised by young people in Parliament, but claimed the Congress “chose political spectacle over democratic debate”.

“For Rahul Gandhi, this is not about students. This is about manufacturing confrontation after every genuine avenue for discussion has been opened,” he said.

The minister added that the government “remains 100% committed to discussing NEET”, saying students “deserve far better than being treated as props in a political campaign”.

“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 added.