Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended Revenue Minister Keshab Mahanta on July 25. He insisted parents should not face backlash for the choices of their adult children. The comments follow a viral video showing Dibisa Mahanta, the minister's daughter, participating in a protest in Guwahati on July 23.
The demonstration, led by the Cockroach Janta Party, centered on the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. Protesters demanded education reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Footage from the event showed Dibisa Mahanta shouting an offensive slogan against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The clip sparked immediate backlash given her father's position in the BJP-led NDA government.
Sarma admitted the slogan was wrong. He noted the protest hurt him personally. Despite his stance, he insisted the fallout should target the individual, not her father. "Don't be surprised if my son says something tomorrow that I don't agree with," Sarma said. He argued that adults maintain independent political lives separate from their families.
The Chief Minister urged critics to leave Keshab Mahanta alone. He noted the minister is busy managing the ongoing flood situation in the state. India Today NE reached out to both father and daughter for comment, but neither responded. Dibisa Mahanta’s social media account is no longer active.
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