Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has made his account on the social media platform X private after facing a wave of abuse and trolling in the aftermath of his announcement that India and Pakistan had agreed to halt all firing on Saturday.
Since May 7, Misri had been conducting regular press briefings alongside Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, offering updates on the Indian military’s operations – codenamed Operation Sindoor – targeting what were described as terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
On Saturday, Misri announced that both nations had reached an agreement to cease all firing from 5 pm. However, he later stated that Islamabad had violated the ceasefire, a development that provoked backlash from several social media users who believed hostilities should continue.
The backlash quickly turned personal. Misri received abusive comments and messages on his profile, and several users targeted his family, including his daughter, criticising her for providing legal aid to Rohingya refugees. Some individuals reportedly disclosed the phone numbers of Misri and his family members, escalating the harassment.
Amid the online vitriol, several political leaders came out in support of Misri, stressing that the foreign secretary was not the architect of the ceasefire decision but merely the messenger of a policy crafted by the political leadership.
Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, defended Misri, describing him as an “honest, hardworking diplomat”. Owaisi emphasised the need to remember that civil servants operate under the authority of the executive and should not be held responsible for its decisions.
Congress leader Salman Anees Soz praised Misri’s service to the nation, stating, "No amount of trolling can diminish his service to the country. If you can’t say thank you, learn to shut up."
Former External Affairs Minister and Congress leader Salman Khurshid expressed disappointment over the abuse directed at Misri, calling it "very, very sad" in a statement to NDTV. He highlighted the exemplary roles of Misri, Colonel Qureshi, and Wing Commander Singh, noting their display of determination, clarity, and confidence in representing India’s stance.
"There are people in the country who will troll anybody for decisions taken at a higher level and in enlightened self-interest," Khurshid remarked. "We are not a country of jingoists. India believes in protecting its rights and sovereignty, but also in diplomatic interaction with the world."
The military strikes under Operation Sindoor were launched in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives. The Pakistan Army responded with repeated shelling of Indian villages along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
The ceasefire, intended to de-escalate tensions, has become the centre of public debate, with diplomats like Misri caught in the crossfire of political opinion and online hostility.