New Delhi – India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has been forced to lock his social media account on platform X (formerly Twitter) after facing a wave of online abuse and personal attacks, including threats and harassment directed at his family. 

"According to media reports, the trolling campaign erupted after Misri announced on May 10 that India and Pakistan had agreed to halt cross-border firing, marking a temporary ceasefire following weeks of military escalation."

Misri had been the face of India’s communication strategy since May 7, conducting press briefings alongside Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh to update the public on Operation Sindoor—India’s military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. The Indian strikes allegedly targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), triggering retaliatory shelling by Pakistan across the Line of Control (LoC).

While the ceasefire announcement was seen as a diplomatic breakthrough, it quickly drew criticism from right-wing social media users. Trolls resurfaced old posts made by Misri and his family, launched personal attacks, and reportedly shared private contact details, including the mobile number of his daughter. She was subjected to vicious abuse online, allegedly for her past support of legal aid for Rohingya refugees.

The situation has sparked widespread condemnation from civil society, political leaders, and journalists. Critics highlighted the irony of nationalist supporters who once hailed Misri as a "patriotic Kashmiri Pandit" now vilifying him for a decision made as part of his official diplomatic responsibilities.

Asaduddin Owaisi, President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), defended the Foreign Secretary, stating: "Mr Vikram Misri is a decent and honest, hardworking diplomat working tirelessly for our nation. Our civil servants work under the executive—this must be remembered—and they shouldn’t be blamed for decisions taken by the political leadership."

Prominent journalist Abhisar Sharma also denounced the trolling in a strongly worded statement:
"Now the limit has been crossed. Vikram Misri, who represented India’s diplomatic image globally during this crisis, is now being targeted by the very people who once praised him. This is not just unethical—it is an attack on the morale of professionals who serve the nation. Those targeting a respected officer and his family are nothing more than venomous agents of hate."

Fact-checking platform Alt News co-founder Pratik Sinha wrote: "36 hours ago, Modi supporters were being told that Karachi had been destroyed. Now they must accept that those reports were false and that the ceasefire wasn’t a sign of victory. Their frustration is being misdirected at a bureaucrat and his daughter, instead of acknowledging the truth."

Fellow co-founder Mohammed Zubair added: "First they went after Himanshi Narwal, the wife of Navy officer Vinay Narwal. Now they’re targeting Vikram Misri and his daughter, abusing her and sharing her number. This is a shameful pattern."

Public sentiment on social media was equally harsh, with many users calling the harassment "deeply disturbing" and "heartbreaking," and questioning the growing intolerance in political discourse. One user wrote: "Vikram Misri is a civil servant, not a policymaker. Targeting him and his family for doing their duty is unjustifiable."

Amid growing outrage, calls are mounting for the Indian government to take strict action against those responsible for the coordinated online abuse. Observers have urged authorities to ensure the protection and dignity of civil servants and their families, especially in the face of politically motivated trolling.