The daughter of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has reportedly taken her Instagram account offline as online criticism surrounding the ongoing examination controversy increasingly extended to the minister's family.

According to multiple media reports, social media users identified Naimisha Pradhan's Instagram profile and posted critical comments on her posts, questioning her decision to pursue higher education in the United States while her father serves as the country's Education Minister.

India Today Digital also reported that it independently checked the claims and found that an Instagram account belonging to Pradhan's daughter was no longer available.

Some social media users reportedly took their criticism to the social media platforms of Tufts University, where Naimisha pursued her postgraduate studies, with some questioning her decision to study abroad and demanding action from the institution.

The online backlash gained momentum amid heightened tensions over student protests against alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. The demonstrations, which have included demands for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, intensified after police action against protesters attempting to march towards Parliament.

Naimisha Pradhan's Education And Career

According to reports, Naimisha Pradhan completed an LLM at The Fletcher School at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, in 2023.

She subsequently joined the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), where she reportedly works as a Senior Associate.

Her educational background became a topic of discussion online, with some users questioning why the daughter of India's Education Minister chose to study overseas. A section of social media users argued that the decision raised questions about confidence in India's own higher education institutions.

However, the online campaign also drew criticism from people who felt that the minister's daughter was being unfairly targeted.

Several users argued that Naimisha is not a public office-holder and that political disagreements with her father should not be extended to members of his family. They said criticism of government policies and public officials should remain focused on those responsible for policymaking rather than relatives who have no role in public administration.

Backlash Comes Amid Pressure On Education Minister

The controversy surrounding Naimisha's social media presence comes as Dharmendra Pradhan faces sustained political pressure over allegations related to examination irregularities and the handling of student concerns.

Opposition parties have called for his resignation, while student-led protests have demanded accountability over alleged paper leaks and broader reforms in the examination system.

Pradhan has rejected the allegations and accused the Opposition of using the issue for political purposes and disrupting parliamentary proceedings.

The incident has also renewed discussion about the limits of political debate on social media. While ministers and other public figures are routinely subjected to scrutiny over their decisions and policies, digital rights experts have repeatedly warned against directing harassment towards family members who have no official role in government.

The episode highlights the increasingly blurred line between public accountability and personal targeting in the age of social media, where political controversies can quickly spill over into the private lives of public figures and their families.