The search for decency within

Vicious targeting of Himanshi Narwal and Vikram Misri points to a deepening social rot

Alok Tiwari

After the momentous events of last week, the overwhelming feeling right now is of relief brought about by cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan. The escalating exchange of fire over four days was threatening to go out of hand. Like everyone else with a sane mind I shudder to think of an all-out war between two nuclear powers. There is only one way the final chapter in any such conflict can be written—with a nuclear exchange—and that essentially means nobody wins. For those having fantasies of war ending with a decisive victory of India, as it did in 1971, it is inconceivable that a nuclear power would surrender without using its final weapon. So I, for one, am thankful that it did not escalate to that level. A ceasefire in any circumstances is welcome. Some wars might be essential, but no war is good. The sheer human tragedy it entails is horrific and every effort needs to be made to avoid it.

For the moment, let us not question whether this offensive was essential. Those having access to better intelligence and in position to decide thought so, so it must be. Let us also not get into what the four-day exchange of fire gained for India. The government claims that the objectives of the offensive were attained. In the absence of information to the contrary, let us accept that. The experts are claiming new red lines have been drawn and Pakistan and its terror outfits have been taught a lesson. Maybe. But do we know for sure whether those lessons have been learnt? The only real proof of that would be if there is no further infiltration attempt and no further terror attacks on Indian soil by those outfits.

The aggressive response from India was supposed to be a deterrent to Pahalgam-like attacks. However, it remains an open question how much of a deterrence it will be if the objective of some group is precisely to provoke such a response. If that was indeed the case, then we need to be guard for even more such attempts. The experience is not very promising. If that doctrine were to work, then Pahalgam should never have happened after Balakot strikes and subsequent firefight between India and Pakistan. Again, for the moment, let us leave these issues to experts.

As we reflect on the events of last three weeks, two episodes stand out. They indicate something more troubling than terror attacks. One is vile trolling of Himanshi Narwal, the wife of young and newlywed naval officer Lt Vinay Narwal who was killed by terrorists in Pahalgam. For a brief while she became symbol of the tragedy. Picture of a stunned Himanshi sitting next to the body of her slain husband in Pahalgam meadow touched heartstrings around the globe. That this happened just six days into their marriage made it even more poignant.

Days later she turned into a monster for a significant chunk of our population. Her crime: she appealed for peace and against hatred. In the days following Pahalgam attack when some people were trying their best to incite emotions against Muslims in general and Kashmiris in particular, she spoke for harmony. She said the tragedy should not be used to target any community. Almost immediately she became a target of trolls. They attacked her in terms that cannot be repeated in civilized company. She was faulted for wearing lipstick in bereavement. There were calls to deny her the post-death benefits of her husband. She was threatened with unspeakable violence and worse.

Second is similar targeting of foreign secretary Vikram Misri just as he announced ceasefire with Pakistan. He immediately became a target for those who had been hoping for war to go on. These were the very same people who had been fantasizing about dismemberment of Pakistan. Never mind that this was never the objective Indian offensive, that from start were claimed to be ‘non-escalatory’ in nature. Never mind that as an objective it is neither attainable nor desirable. Most of all, how foolish it is to target the person making the mere announcement, as if Misri alone in his wisdom decided to agree to ceasefire.

Ever since the targeted attacks on terror camps inside Pakistan were announced, this group had been spoiling for a fight to the end, whatever that means. The sudden announcement for ceasefire left their bloodlust unsatiated. They not only abused Misri but also targeted his daughters, leading the family to suspend their social media accounts.

It would be easy to dismiss the trolls as out of control fringe elements. If only that were true. Unfortunately, most of us know such elements around us. Nor are they confined to ignorant, less educated section. People voicing such opinions are among what would be called respectable strata of society, having decent education and holding regular jobs. It is galling to see such people voice such filth. And for what? Since when has an appeal for harmony and peace become a crime? Since when has a ceasefire become an unwelcome thing? Both the things avoid bloodshed and enable ordinary folks to get on with their lives, which is what every decent person wants.

In the time to come, we will analyse Pahalgam and its aftermath. We would want to know how that attack happened and what happened to the perpetrators. We would also want to know the human and material cost of border skirmishes that followed. However, will we be worried about the loss of basic decency that we seemed to have suffered? That so many among us feel comfortable to voice such vile opinions in public without worrying about repercussions should worry us just as much. We may, with effort, defend ourselves from terror attacks. Our armed forces may be capable of inflicting lethal damage on enemies. But what is the defence against this loss of character? It may eventually be a bigger tragedy.

This column appeared in Lokmat Times on May 14, 2025