Proud of you: Support pours in for Vikram Misri after trolls target his family
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri faced online abuse, with many targeting his family, including his daughters, following India’s de-escalation agreement with Pakistan on Saturday. Soon after Misri announced the decision, he was subjected to intense online trolling, several senior diplomats and politicians came out in his defence.
Strongly condemning the online attack, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi said an “honest, hard-working” officer like Misri shouldn’t be attacked for merely relaying a decision taken by the Centre.
“Mr Vikram Misri is a decent, honest, hard-working diplomat working tirelessly for our nation. Our civil servants work under the executive this must be remembered & they shouldn’t be blamed for the decisions taken by the executive or any political leadership running Watan E Aziz,” he posted on X.
Misri, in a press briefing on Saturday evening, announced that the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of both the sides agreed to reach an understanding to stop all military actions on land, air and sea with immediate effect.
Following his announcement, abusive words such as “traitor,” “gaddar,” and “deshdrohi” were hurled towards him, with some posts even questioning the citizenship of his daughters.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav blamed the Centre for not defending Misri’s honour, clarifying that he was just the messenger.
“It is the government’s responsibility to make decisions – not individual officers,” he wrote on X.
“Some anti-social criminal elements are openly crossing all limits of abusive language against the officer and his family, but neither the BJP government nor any of its ministers are coming forward to protect his honour and respect or discussing possible action against those who make such unwanted posts,” Yadav further wrote.
Former foreign secretary Nirupama Menon Rao called the online abuses “utterly shameful,” saying it “crosses every line of decency.”
“It’s utterly shameful to troll Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and his family over the India-Pakistan ceasefire announcement. A dedicated diplomat, Misri has served India with professionalism and resolve, and there is no ground whatsoever for his vilification.
“Doxxing his daughter and abusing his loved ones crosses every line of decency. This toxic hate must stop—stand united behind our diplomats, not tear them down,” she posted on X.
India and Pakistan on Saturday reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea with immediate effect after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes that brought the two countries teetering on the edge of a full-scale war.
Misri, in a press briefing, said the director generals of military operations of India and Pakistan agreed on the understanding during a call on Saturday afternoon, and the next talks are scheduled at 12 noon on May 12.
The announcement came shortly after US President Donald Trump in a surprise social media post claimed that the talks between the two sides were “mediated” by the US.
