Foreign Secretary Targeted by Online Trolls After Announcing Ceasefire with Pakistan
Foreign Secretary Targeted After Ceasefire Announcement
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has come under intense fire from right-wing online trolls after announcing a ceasefire with Pakistan. Misri, who has been the face of India’s response to the recent tensions with Pakistan, was targeted for his role in the ceasefire agreement, which some see as a sign of weakness.
Trolls Attack Misri and His Daughter
The online abuse directed at Misri included vicious personal attacks, labeling him a ‘traitor’ and ‘national shame’. His daughter, Didon Misri, a law graduate, was also targeted for her work with Rohingya refugees. A 2015 photo of Misri with his daughter, shared as part of Modi’s #SelfiewithDaughter campaign, was particularly singled out, with trolls demanding a ‘probe’ into her support for Rohingya people.
Support for Misri from Across the Political Spectrum
In the face of this onslaught, a range of prominent figures, including IAS and IPS associations, Opposition leaders, former diplomats, and journalists, have rallied in support of Misri.
IAS and IPS Associations Condemn Attacks
The IAS (Central) Association and the IPS (Central) Association both unequivocally condemned the personal attacks on Misri and his family. The IAS Association emphasized the importance of upholding the dignity of public service and expressed solidarity with Misri and his family.
Political Leaders Speak Out
Congress leader Sachin Pilot condemned the trolling targeting Misri’s family, calling it unacceptable to attack professional diplomats and civil servants. AlMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi also defended Misri, highlighting that civil servants work under the Executive and should not be blamed for decisions made by political leadership.
Right-Wing Criticism of Ceasefire and Modi Government
The attacks on Misri and the government’s decision to announce a ceasefire highlight a growing rift within the right-wing ecosystem. Some groups, particularly those aligned with Hindutva ideology, have become increasingly critical of the BJP and the Modi government, accusing them of being ‘cowardly’ and ‘appeasing’ to Muslims.
Ceasefire Seen as Sign of Weakness
The ceasefire has been met with outrage by some within this right-wing segment, who see it as a sign of weakness and a betrayal of Hindu interests. They have used social media to express their anger, sharing images and messages that portray the ceasefire as a surrender to Pakistan.
Targeting of BJP and RSS
This criticism extends beyond the ceasefire, with these groups increasingly targeting the BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS, for what they perceive as a lack of commitment to Hindu nationalism. They see the BJP as a ‘sellout’ to secularism and accuse the RSS of failing to live up to its ideals.
Misri’s experience highlights the growing polarization within Indian society, with the online world becoming a battleground for competing ideologies. The attacks on the Foreign Secretary and the government’s decision to pursue a ceasefire demonstrate the challenges of navigating these complex divisions.
