Bhubaneswar: A political and social media buzz has erupted across Odisha following contrasting public statements made by BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi and her daughter, Archita Sachin Rahar, in the wake of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
The mother-daughter duo has drawn significant public attention after expressing starkly different positions on social media, showcasing a generational divide and highlighting individual freedom of expression within the same household.
Dharmendra announced his resignation on July 25, citing moral responsibility amid prolonged student protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination, including paper leaks. In a detailed statement addressed to the nation’s youth, he highlighted government actions such as handing the probe to the CBI, cancelling the original exam, and conducting a re-test, while stressing that he did not want “anti-national forces” to exploit the unrest or entangle students’ futures in legal issues.
Archita’s Instagram story featured a photograph of Dharmendra with the caption: “Dharmendra Pradhan resigns amid massive student protests over NEET leak fiasco.” In a follow-up post, she wrote, “Also, to DP’s PA who is sure to text my mother asking me to delete my previous story (it has happened before) — Don’t bother. I won’t delete. Jai Jagannath! Jai Hind.”
As the post gained traction, the Bhubaneswar MP later posted a message of solidarity and support for the senior BJP leader. “Shri Dharmendra Pradhan ji has tendered his resignation as Union Education Minister today. Resigning from such a high position while owning moral responsibility calls for lot of courage. This is admirable. | stand by him in this very difficult time. | wish for him the best for the days to come. May Mahaprabhu Jagannath shower HIS Blessings upon him,” Aparajita posted on official X handle.
A viral screenshot later showed Archita responding to a user, emphasising that while several of her BJP-affiliated relatives backed Dharmendra, she stood with the students. She asserted that in a democracy, those in power must be held accountable, clarifying that her views are strictly personal and non-political.
The development has since generated widespread discussion across social media platforms about freedom of expression, political accountability, and the boundaries of political figures’ family members sharing personal views.
Many commentators view these contrasting opinion as a positive sign of democratic maturity, illustrating that family members can hold independent political and social viewpoints without conflict. While Aparajita’s stance reflects party alignment and institutional political solidarity, Archita’s stance represents the voice of Gen Z and youth-driven civic activism.
Echoing the same, the MP’s office assistant, Dhaneswar Barik, said, “Everyone has the right to express their views. Her daughter, who is from Gen Z, said she stands by her statement. She has the right to speak her mind.”
However, the divergent stances taken by the MP and her daughter drew sharp criticism from several BJP leaders in Odisha. Jagannath Pradhan, who contested and lost the 2024 Bhubaneswar Central Assembly election on a BJP ticket, remarked, “Pradhan is son of the soil. His resignation has hurt us. Odias have welcomed the daughter of Bihar (Aparajita) and made her MP twice.” He added, “Aparajita should have control over her family members. She should tender an apology to Odisha for her daughter making adverse remarks against Dharmendra. As an educated person, the MP’s daughter should not make such statements against Dharmendra, who had immense contributions to Odisha and India.”
Another senior party leader also disapproved of Archita’s remarks, stating, “The BJP is a family and all the members should stand by the other when he or she is in trouble. Aparajita’s daughter going against a party leader is not acceptable in a disciplined party like the BJP.”
Following the online backlash and circulation of these posts, Archita’s Instagram account was deactivated on Saturday. Neither she nor the MP has issued an official statement regarding the deactivation.
(With inputs from PTI)
