AIMIM leader Waris Pathan has sharply condemned the recent spate of online harassment of senior Indian officials and their families after the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. His remarks come after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was brutally trolled on social media, leading him to lock his account.
Pathan compared the trolling of Misri with previous trolling that Himanshi Narwal, the widow of martyr Vinay Narwal, had endured. He was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. “They targeted the widow of a valiant soldier first, now they are targeting a diplomat who has worked day and night for the country. This is not acceptable,” Pathan said. He urged the government to act quickly against the trolls.
In a dig at the BJP, Pathan wondered how party spokesperson Ajay Alok could hold a contradictory stand. “If there was no war, why was a ceasefire required? And why did US President Donald Trump declare it?” he asked, terming the situation “confusing and handled badly.”
The ceasefire declared on May 10 in the face of rising military tensions has received mixed responses. In the wake of the online outrage against Misri, some political leaders came out in his defense.
Owaisi, Akhilesh Stand with Misri
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi came to the defense of Misri, referring to him as “an honest, hardworking diplomat working for the nation.” He reminded everyone that civil servants work under the instructions of elected representatives and should not be held responsible for executive actions.
Akhilesh Yadav, a leader of the Samajwadi Party, also criticized the abuse as “insensitive and shameful” and added that such decisions are made by the government, not any one official.
With the political heat generated in India-Pakistan ceasefire continuing to rage, politicians cutting across the aisle have started highlighting the need to treat civil servants and their families with respect at critical times for the country.
