Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has come under a storm of online abuse following his announcement of a ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan on May 10. The trolling, which extended to his family and even led to the doxxing of his daughter, has sparked outrage among veteran diplomats, politicians, and the National Commission for Women (NCW), all of whom have condemned the attacks and demanded accountability.
The Delhi-based Association of Indian Diplomats issued a scathing statement, calling the trolling “appalling and completely unacceptable,” and described Misri as an outstanding professional with an impeccable track record. Former foreign secretary Nirupama Menon Rao, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav have also voiced strong support for Misri, criticising those targeting him for executing a decision taken at the highest levels of government.
Misri, who took over as Foreign Secretary on July 15, 2024, is a seasoned diplomat from the 1989 batch of the Indian Foreign Service. His career spans crucial roles in the Ministry of External Affairs, the Prime Minister’s Office, and Indian missions across continents. His current role placed him at the forefront of India’s diplomatic messaging around Operation Sindoor, amid intense military tensions between India and Pakistan.
On May 11, Misri announced that the director generals of military operations from both sides had agreed to halt all military actions by land, air, and sea with immediate effect. This statement followed days of cross-border drone and missile strikes and came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the ceasefire had been mediated by Washington.
The ceasefire announcement, however, triggered a wave of trolling against Misri, blaming him personally for the decision. Akhilesh Yadav, in a detailed post on X, condemned the abuse, stating that it demoralises honest officers who work tirelessly for the nation. He accused the BJP government of failing to protect its officers from such attacks and called out the silence of Union ministers.
निर्णय तो सरकार का होता है; किसी अधिकारी का नहीं।
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) May 11, 2025
ये बेहद संवेदनशील, निंदनीय, शर्मनाक, आपत्तिजनक और दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण बात है कि देश के एक बहुत बड़े अधिकारी और उसके परिवार के ख़िलाफ़ कुछ असामाजिक-आपराधिक तत्व सरेआम अपशब्दों की सारी सीमाएं तोड़ रहे हैं लेकिन उनके मान-सम्मान की रक्षा… pic.twitter.com/scIUETtX1e
Former Foreign Secretary Rao called the trolling of Misri and the doxxing of his daughter “utterly shameful,” asserting that it crosses every line of decency. “This toxic hate must stop. Stand united behind our diplomats, not tear them down,” she posted.
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…
— Nirupama Menon Rao 🇮🇳 (@NMenonRao) May 11, 2025
Owaisi echoed these sentiments, stressing that civil servants like Misri operate under the executive’s orders and should not be scapegoated for policy decisions.
Mr Vikram Misri is a decent and an Honest Hard working Diplomat working tirelessly for our Nation.
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) May 11, 2025
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… https://t.co/yfM3ygfiyt
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar also issued a statement denouncing the online harassment. She called the public sharing of Misri’s daughter’s personal details a grossly irresponsible and morally indefensible act. The NCW urged citizens to uphold dignity and responsible behaviour, both online and offline.
भारत के विदेश सचिव श्री विक्रम मिश्री के परिवार, विशेष रूप से उनकी बेटी के खिलाफ किए गए निंदनीय ऑनलाइन दुर्व्यवहार (online abuse) की राष्ट्रीय महिला आयोग (#NCW) कड़े शब्दों में निंदा करता है।
— Vijaya Rahatkar (@VijayaRahatkar) May 12, 2025
विदेश सचिव की बेटी की व्यक्तिगत संपर्क जानकारी साझा करना गंभीर रूप से गैर-जिम्मेदाराना… pic.twitter.com/9b66R3Ud5G
The backlash against the trolling highlights the increasingly toxic digital environment facing public servants and raises urgent questions about online accountability, personal security, and the politicisation of professional diplomatic actions.
