Veteran diplomats and politicians have rallied behind Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who has faced a wave of online trolling following India and Pakistan’s understanding to halt military actions.
The move, reached on 10 May, has drawn sharp reactions on social media, prompting former foreign secretary Nirupama Menon Rao and leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi and Akhilesh Yadav to voice their support for the senior diplomat.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, in a strongly worded post on X, condemned the attacks, stating that such comments “break the morale of honest officers” who serve the nation with dedication. He criticised the ruling government for its silence over the online harassment.
“It is the government’s responsibility to make decisions – not individual officers. 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 wrote in Hindi.
On Saturday, India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire, halting all military actions across land, air, and sea after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes. Foreign Secretary Misri, making the announcement on Saturday evening, said that the director generals of military operations (DGMO) of both nations had reached the understanding during a call on Saturday afternoon, with the next round of talks set for 12 noon on 12 May.
The announcement followed US President Donald Trump’s surprising social media post, claiming that the ceasefire talks between the two sides were “mediated” by the US.
Former foreign secretary Nirupama Menon Rao also expressed her support for Misri, calling the trolling “utterly shameful” and 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,” Rao wrote on X.
“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. #StopTrollingMisri #SupportDiplomats #VikramMisri #IndianDiplomacy #NoToDoxxing,” she added.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi also voiced his support for Misri, emphasising the need to protect civil servants from unjust criticism.
“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 – and they shouldn’t be blamed for the decisions taken by the executive or any political leadership running Watan E Aziz,” Owaisi wrote on X.
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