A political controversy erupted on social media after Archita Sarangi, daughter of BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi, publicly declared that she would not delete an Instagram story related to the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The post, which quickly went viral, came shortly after Pradhan announced his resignation amid nationwide protests over the alleged NEET examination paper leak.
"I Won't Delete the Post"
Archita Sarangi shared an Instagram story featuring a news headline about Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Soon after, she posted another message that appeared to suggest she expected pressure to remove the story.
In the Instagram 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 Hindi!"
The statement triggered widespread discussion online, with many social media users speculating that she was referring to Dharmendra Pradhan's office. However, no official confirmation has been issued regarding the claim.
According to multiple reports, Archita's Instagram account was reportedly deactivated sometime after the posts gained attention.
Aparajita Sarangi Backs Dharmendra Pradhan
While the controversy unfolded online, BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi expressed full support for Dharmendra Pradhan.
She praised his decision to resign, describing it as an act of moral responsibility following the NEET paper leak controversy. According to her, Pradhan demonstrated courage by stepping down while emphasizing his commitment to protecting students' interests.
Why Did Dharmendra Pradhan Resign?
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister following widespread protests by students over the alleged NEET examination paper leak.
In his resignation message shared on X, Pradhan said he respected the aspirations of India's youth and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the opportunity to serve the nation.
He stated that his decision was aimed at ensuring that anti-national forces did not exploit the unrest and that students could focus on their education without becoming entangled in prolonged legal and political disputes.
Pradhan also said that safeguarding national unity and protecting students' futures were among the reasons behind his decision to step down.
Protest Ends After Talks
The resignation came ahead of another round of discussions between the Centre and student representatives. Protest organizers had demanded accountability over the alleged paper leak, compensation for families of affected students, and assurances that no action would be taken against those who participated in demonstrations.
Following discussions with Union ministers, the organizers announced that their demands had been addressed and officially called off the protest.
Social Media Reacts
Archita Sarangi's posts have generated mixed reactions online. While some users praised her for standing by her views, others questioned whether political disagreements should be aired publicly on social media.
Neither Dharmendra Pradhan's office nor Aparajita Sarangi has publicly responded to Archita's specific claim regarding alleged requests to delete her Instagram story.
