The wife of Vinay Narwal, a Navy officer who was tragically killed in the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, has become the target of online trolls after expressing her desire for peace and justice.
The horrific attack, which took place during the couple’s honeymoon in Basiran Valley, turned what should have been a joyful moment into a nightmare. Himanshi, Vinay’s wife, was initially praised for her strength and composure during the difficult time, as she mourned her husband’s tragic death. However, when she later spoke to the media about her belief in peace and the need for justice, the tone of online reactions changed drastically.
In a heartfelt statement made during a blood donation camp on the birthday of her late husband, Himanshi said, “We don’t want people to go after Muslims and Kashmiris. We want peace and only peace. Of course, we want justice. The people who have wronged him should be punished.”
Sadly, her words were met with online abuse. Some social media posts mocked and belittled her, with comments such as: “Dear men, stay away from these woke JNU types. Her husband died for being Hindu, and she wants peace and secularism,” and “Shameful statement by her. It is his bad luck that he married her.” Others called her an insult to her husband’s service, saying, “Shame on you. You are an insult to the Navy officer who served the country!” Some even questioned her priority, stating, “Justice is her second priority.”
Despite grieving her husband’s death, Himanshi was cruelly attacked online for expressing her views on communal peace. The trolls even went so far as to question her loyalty to her late husband.
In response to this hateful campaign, Lalita Ramdas, the daughter of India’s first Chief of Naval Staff and wife of a former Navy chief, penned a letter supporting Himanshi. Ramdas strongly condemned the trolls and praised Himanshi’s unwavering stand for peace.
“I am so proud of you as I watch the clip of your words to the press over and over again,” Ramdas wrote. “Your extraordinary strength, composure, and conviction when you speak out against hate and targeting of Muslims and Kashmiris after the horrific killing of so many innocent men in Pahalgam is truly remarkable! And so badly needed in our times.”
Ramdas further added, “You are the perfect Fauji wife, true to the spirit of the service, the constitution, and our secular values. You have echoed the thoughts and feelings of every thinking citizen of this country.”
She concluded by urging everyone to carry forward Himanshi’s message of love, compassion, and secularism.
