Tharoor slams trolls abusing foreign secretary Vikram Misri over Op Sindoor

Senior Congress MP and former diplomat Shashi Tharoor lashed out at the vicious trolling of foreign secretary Vikram Misri, which included personal attacks, after a ceasefire was announced between India and Pakistan after four days of intense military conflict.

Tharoor, who had also served at the United Nations, in a television interview dubbed the actions of the trolls as “preposterous”. He lauded the foreign secretary for the way he handled one of the most tense situations between India and Pakistan.

Effective voice for India

The Congress MP praised 'young Vikram Misri' for doing an “outstanding job” and described him as an “effective voice” for India.

Tharoor told NDTV that Misri has worked very hard, very long hours and is an extremely hardworking and effective voice for India, along with the two women officers [Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofia Qureshi], who spoke very calmly and professionally without any hysteria in a wonderfully impressive way.

"I can't understand who on earth would troll and why? What could they be critical of and what could these people have done differently or better?" Tharoor asked in the interview.

Also Read: Op Sindoor: Who are top Pak Army officers, cops who attended funeral of terrorists?

Political parties defend Misri

Meanwhile, several political parties too came out in support of the foreign secretary.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi posted on X, "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 & they shouldn't be blamed for the decisions taken by the executive or any political leadership running Watan E Aziz."

BJP not coming forward, says SP

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav too wrote a long post on X in Hindi saying that such statements break the morale of honest officers who work day and night dedicated to the country.

"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," wrote Yadav.

Also Read: Naval forces were ready to strike targets, including Karachi: Vice Admiral on Op Sindoor

NCW slams trolls

In a statement issued by NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, the panel denounced the sharing of the young woman's personal contact details, calling it a "grossly irresponsible act" and a "serious breach of privacy" that endangers her safety.

Rahatkar stressed that personal attacks on the family members of senior civil servants like Misri are not only "unacceptable" but also morally indefensible.

Calling for restraint and respect in both online and offline spaces, the NCW urged citizens to rise above such behaviour. "Let us choose dignity and responsible conduct," Rahatkar added.

Also Read: India mocks Pakistan over state funerals for terrorists

IAS association supports Misri

The IAS Association also came out in support of Misri. "The IAS Association stands in solidarity with Shri Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary, & his family. Unwarranted personal attacks on civil servants performing their duties with integrity are deeply regrettable.

"We reaffirm our commitment to uphold the dignity of public service," the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) association said in a statement.

Also Read: India pans Global Times for misreporting Op Sindoor, gives Chinese media a factcheck

Utterly shameful : Nirupama Menon

Former foreign secretary Nirupama Menon called the trolling of the senior diplomat "utterly shameful" and said 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.

"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 posted on X.

MEA remains silent

However, the ministry of external affairs is yet to officially respond the incident.

India and Pakistan on Saturday reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea with immediate effect after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes. The esalating tensions had nearly brought the two countries teetering on the edge of a full-scale war.

(With inputs from agencies)