'Don't be surprised if my son says something tomorrow': Himanta on Keshab Mahanta's daughter row

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on July 25 defended Revenue Minister Keshab Mahanta amid the controversy surrounding his daughter Dibisa Mahanta's participation in a protest where an abusive slogan targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi was raised, asserting that parents should not be held responsible for the actions or views of their adult children.

Responding to questions from reporters, Sarma said every adult has an independent life and political beliefs that may differ from those of their parents.

"How am I answerable for what my children do? Even my elder brother doesn't agree with everything about me. We all have independent lives. My children also do not agree with me on many things. Likewise, many journalists do not share the same political ideology as their parents," the chief minister said.

Sarma said he was personally hurt by the language used during the protest but stressed that criticism should be directed at the individual responsible rather than her father.

"I am hurt by what happened. If someday I meet the young lady, I will speak to her. But Keshab Mahanta is currently playing a much bigger role in the flood situation, and he should not be disturbed with these issues," he said.

Drawing a parallel with his own family, the chief minister added, "Don't be surprised if my son says something tomorrow that I don't agree with. He is studying law and may one day fight a case for someone I don't like. Will you then hold me responsible? It is not right to drag parents into controversies after their children have become adults."

Sarma maintained that while the slogan was inappropriate, accountability rested with the individual who made the remarks.

"What the young lady said was wrong. We should speak to the lady, not her father," he added.

The controversy erupted after Dibisa Mahanta, daughter of Assam Cabinet Minister and senior Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leader Keshab Mahanta, was seen in videos participating in a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest in Guwahati on July 23 demanding education reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.

Videos that went viral on social media showed Dibisa Mahanta raising the slogan, "Neem Ka Patta Kadwa Hai, Modi Sala Bhadwa Hai," an abusive slogan directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The videos sparked widespread criticism over the use of offensive language as well as the participation of the daughter of a serving minister in the BJP-led NDA government in the protest.

India Today NE had attempted to contact both Dibisa Mahanta and Keshab Mahanta for their response after the controversy surfaced. However, neither was available for comment. Following the row, Dibisa Mahanta's social media account also appeared to have been deactivated or made inaccessible.