Mugdha Pradhan, the CEO and founder of the Pune-based health firm iThrive, has found herself at the center of a massive public backlash, though not for reasons one would expect from a wellness entrepreneur. A video featuring Pradhan unleashing an abusive rant aimed directly at Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gone viral across social media platforms. While political criticism remains a fundamental part of public discourse, Pradhan’s remarks have crossed the boundaries of acceptable debate, drawing heavy criticism for their vulgarity and aggressive tone.

Pradhan, who works extensively in the field of functional nutrition and holds a master's degree in Food Science and Nutrition, explicitly stated in the video that if she ever met Prime Minister Modi, she would "slap him." Her outbursts appear to closely align with the violent demonstrations recently staged at Jantar Mantar, while she simultaneously expressed frustration over the authorities taking action against individuals using profane language. Throughout the video clip, Pradhan touches on several issues, but her aggressive rhetoric has prompted widespread outrage among internet users.

What did CEO and Founder of iThrive Mugdha Pradhan say in her abusive video

In the widely shared video clip, Mugdha Pradhan made several aggressive and profane statements targeted at the Prime Minister and older leadership:

“And I want to fucking slap all these fucking old men who think it is within their entitled right to suppress the anger of women and children. Just look at what people are getting away with. You think gaalis are dirty, look at the streets of this country that you are supposed to lead. I went for a walk in nature, and there were heaps of garbage under a tree. Why can’t you clean that shit up? Why can’t you see that dirt? Your minds are only so dirty, you idiots.”

Addressing government policy and the Prime Minister directly, she continued her tirade:

“Someone is finally calling you the word you deserve and that is why its triggering you so much. You, being the PM of the country and sitting and making reels saying you are forgiving? One forgiving slap I will give you if I meet you, fucking old men who should not be there. Get out. Get out of my country, get out of the role you are in and its time that the younger ones took on the mantle”.

Ironically, while Pradhan repeatedly resorted to ageist insults and derogatory language against senior leadership, she herself is 45 years old. This was not an isolated incident; Pradhan had previously published another video using heavy expletives against the Prime Minister, where she openly defended young protesters, arguing that they were simply "expressing their feelings" through abusive language.

Who is Mugdha Pradhan, who wants to slap PM Modi?

Mugdha Pradhan is a Pune-based functional nutritionist operating within the health and wellness industry. She established iThrive and currently serves as its Chief Executive Officer. The company promotes a functional nutrition approach to personal wellness, claiming that rather than merely treating the visible symptoms of diseases, it works to identify and solve underlying root causes. However, following the public release of her rants, critics on social media have remarked that she appears to be in urgent need of professional help herself.

According to her official corporate profile, Pradhan completed her Master of Science degree in Food Science and Nutrition in 2001. Following her education, she spent time in the corporate sector, including an early stint working with the Human Resources team at Flipkart, before shifting her focus entirely to health and nutrition consulting.

Her public bio further highlights her as a two-time TEDx speaker and the published author of the book Health, Inc. According to details on the iThrive website, her book examines the mechanics and structural issues surrounding the global healthcare system.

Netizens lash out at Mugdha Pradhan over her comments on PM Modi

As the footage spread rapidly across social channels, members of the public strongly condemned Pradhan's behavior, questioning how the chief executive of a health brand could act with such hostility. Many pointed out that the public actions of a company's leadership directly impact the trust and reputation of the brand itself, with several potential customers declaring they would no longer purchase products from iThrive.

Critiquing her behavior, one social media user remarked:

“The CEO of iThrive is busy abusing PM Modi. It seems she herself needs better supplements. It is worth thinking about what it says about the understanding and credibility of a brand when its top official publicly displays so much hatred and lack of restraint.”

Journalist Abhijeet Majumdar also voiced his concern regarding her public conduct:

“Looking at Mugdha Pradhan, who is using abusive language for PM Modi, it seems that she is in great need of mental health assistance. She appears very disturbed and unstable. Can anyone trust her brand and its products?”

Commentator Rakesh Krishnan Sinha offered a detailed critique of her actions and corporate backing, stating:

“Meet another hypocrite. Mugdha Pradhan, CEO and founder of health and wellness company iThrive, is abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the protests taking place at Jantar Mantar. Looking at this foul-mouthed woman, it seems as if she was born in a gutter. All these fake people are very frustrated because of FCRA. Because of accountability laws like FCRA, their dreams of talking nonsense and cheating innocent people are becoming difficult to fulfill. Look at her speech, her uncontrolled, frustrated ranting and what is written on her website everything is completely opposite to each other. ‘Sat-Chit-Ananda’ went flat within just a few seconds.”

Additionally, online observers raised questions regarding the company's financial backing. One user publicly alleged external influences:

“This woman from iThrive received investment from Hong Kong-based Fung Strategic Investments. That is why she is using abusive language against our respected Prime Minister. It seems that she is an ‘asset’ of China. Please take appropriate legal action.”

Records show that iThrive has indeed accepted capital investments from Fung Strategic Investments, a Hong Kong-based entity that operates as the private family investment arm of the prominent Fung family, linked to the larger Fung Group. According to official company disclosures, early investments in the Pune startup came from figures such as Rajesh Runawat, Executive Director at Fung Strategic Investments (who participated in a private capacity), alongside Nilesh Bhatnagar, Managing Director of NB Ventures.

The CJP protest, abuses and PM’s forgiveness

The backdrop to this controversy traces back to the CJP-led demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. Initially organized to protest alleged systemic errors in competitive examinations—including the high-profile NEET paper leak controversy—the gathering sought policy accountability from the government. However, the event quickly escalated as radical activists and Gen Z participants took over the stage, displaying highly offensive posters and shouting personal insults. Numerous viral videos recorded protesters using explicit, vulgar language targeted at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Cabinet Ministers.

In response to the personal attacks directed at him and his late mother, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released an official video message on Instagram on July 31st. Addressing the public, he addressed the hostility while offering forgiveness to the young demonstrators, emphasizing the need for mentorship over punishment.

“What happened in Jantar Mantar, the country and the world witnessed it. Some mischievous children used abusive language that doesn’t dignify any civilised society. They not only abused me but even my late mother,” PM Modi stated.

He further acknowledged the widespread public anger caused by the harsh language used by young citizens:

“I understand the anger in our society. There is a cultural shock about our daughters using such language,” he observed.

Offering an analogy regarding national unity and patience, the Prime Minister added:

“Sometimes our tongue comes under our teeth and blood comes out, but we do not break our teeth—because the teeth are ours, and the tongue is ours too. The children are also ours.”

Choosing path of reconciliation over legal or penal action, PM Modi called on society to help guide the youth toward constructive civil participation:

“This is the time to hug them and show them the right path…I want to forgive them,” he emphasized. “These are misguided children, and showing them the way is our duty; we will not be able to change circumstances by punishing them, making them run around the courts, or harassing them in society,” he added.

Concluding his statement, the Prime Minister extended an open invitation to the younger generation:

“Children, come, let us move forward together for the country. Let us learn something new, let us learn even from mistakes… I live for you, I toil for your bright future, so come, let us together take the country forward.”