Naimisha Pradhan, daughter of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, has deactivated her Instagram account after falling prey to an online backlash linked to the ongoing protests over irregularities regarding the National Eliigibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).
She resorted to the move amid the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where demonstrators have been demanding Minister Pradhan’s resignation over the NEET UG 2026 paper leak and broader concerns surrounding the pan-India medical entrance examination.
Naimisha Pradhan
Social media users reportedly traced Naimisha’s Instagram account and flooded the comments section of several of her posts, especially after Delhi Police resorted to lathicharge and use of tear gas shells as well as water cannons against student protestors during their march to the Parliament on Monday (July 20, 2026).
Naimisha’s foreign education becomes centre of online debate
Naimisha completed her Master of Laws (LLM) degree at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, Massachusetts, in 2023, and has been working as a Senior Associate at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF).
Several users questioned her decision to pursue higher education in the US, alleging that it reflected her lack of confidence in India’s education system. Meanwhile, several social media posts claimed that students with similar financial means would also choose to study overseas if given the opportunity.
Not only Naimisha’s social media account, but the Tufts University’s social media pages also came under the netizens’ scanner, who posted comments there such as ‘Dharmendra Pradhan resign’ and, in some instances, calling for action against her.
A post shared widely argued that studying overseas highlighted the challenges faced by millions of Indian students, while others alleged that she was ‘part of the problem’ owing to her educational background abroad.
Naimisha's LinkedIn profile
Users call for focus on Minister, not his kin
However, a section of people urged restraint, contending that the focus should remain on the Education Minister’s policies rather than his family members. Many pointed out that Naimisha does not hold any public office and should not be subjected to personal attacks over political developments. One user commented that involving a family member who is not responsible for policymaking crossed an ethical line, underlining that accountability should be sought from elected representatives rather than their kin.
Pradhan tears into Congress, defends Government’s stand
Meanwhile, Minister Pradhan broke his silence on the ongoing protest led by CJP, accusing the Congress and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of exploiting students for political purposes during the Monsoon session of Parliament. In a post on his official ‘X’ handle, he alleged that Gandhi and Congress leaders staged a sit-in outside the Prime Minister’s residence, causing inconvenience to the public and disregarding established security protocols.
Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
He reiterated that the Centre remained willing to hold a detailed discussion on NEET and youth-related concerns in Parliament, claiming that the Opposition had chosen ‘political spectacle over democratic debate.’