Ceasefire: RW Trolls Attack Vikram Misri’s Family

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has become the target of a disturbing online campaign after he announced an “understanding for stoppage of firing and military action” between India and Pakistan on May 10.

Misri had earlier led India’s diplomatic response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, where 26 people lost their lives. Despite his efforts, he is now facing abuse, including the leaking of his daughter’s personal information.

The attacks are mostly coming from right-wing trolls angry at the government’s decision to de-escalate tensions. Many of them appear to believe that Misri was responsible for the decision, ignoring the fact that he is a civil servant who follows the directions of the political leadership. Their anger is misdirected, and the abuse is deeply unfair.

Several public figures have come out in support of Misri. Journalist Sucheta Dalal criticised the silence of top bureaucratic groups. Swati Chaturvedi called for action against the trolls who went after Misri’s daughter.

Mohammed Zubair pointed out that Misri had to lock down his social media due to the abuse. Veteran journalist Vir Sanghvi called the trolls “human garbage.”

Even more disturbing is the rise of communal and anti-peace comments. Some families of the victims of the Pahalgam attack, who refused to blame an entire community, have also been targeted. The widow of an IAF officer was attacked online for her past views.

Vikram Misri deserves support for doing his job with professionalism. Attacking him only shows how toxic the public discourse has become.