Himanshi Narwal, trolled for calling for peace, had urges against blaming Muslims and Kashmiris
NEW DELHI — The National Commission for Women (NCW) has extended support to Himanshi Narwal, the wife of Lieutenant Vinay Narwal who was among the 26 people killed in the recent Pahalgam attack, after she was subjected to online trolling for appealing against communal hatred.
Himanshi, who lost her husband during their honeymoon in Kashmir, had urged people not to vilify Muslims or Kashmiris in the wake of the April 22 attack that claimed mostly civilian lives. “We do not want people going after Muslims and Kashmiris,” she had said.
Her call for peace and restraint was met with a wave of trolling on social media, with some users targeting her over her remarks and personal beliefs.
Reacting to the backlash, the NCW issued a statement backing Himanshi, saying no woman should be trolled or harassed for expressing her views or standing by her convictions. “It is not right to target a woman based on her ideological expression or personal life,” the Commission stated.
The newlyweds had arrived in Kashmir days before the attack. Images of Himanshi, sitting beside her husband’s body with her wedding chooda still on, had moved the nation to tears.
In her first public comments after the tragedy, she said, “I want the entire country to pray for him (Vinay), that wherever he is, he has found peace. That is all I ask.”
She also appealed for calm and unity, saying, “I see hatred growing, directed at Muslims and Kashmiris. We do not want this. We only wish for peace—nothing else.”
Himanshi further called on the government to ensure justice is delivered and those behind the attack are held accountable.
Her call for peace and restraint was met with a wave of trolling on social media, with some users targeting her over her remarks and personal beliefs. One user claimed she was using the incident as an opportunity to “climb the social and political ladder,” while another questioned, “What changed her mind?” There were also disturbing comments, with one user stating, “She should have been shot,” while another remarked, “It feels it was a set-up with her involvement.
Security agencies should check her background.” Some even pointed out how she appeared “stable” in videos following the attack, saying “she never seemed shocked.”
In a statement posted on X, the NCW condemned the online trolling she has faced.
Referring to the widespread social media criticism of her remarks, the NCW wrote, “After the death of Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, the way his wife Himanshi Narwal is being criticised on social media in relation to one of her statements is unfortunate.”
The commission acknowledged that while her comments may not have resonated with many, expressing disagreement must remain within “constitutional limits” and civil discourse.
Vinay Narwal was shot dead after being asked about his religion during the Pahalgam attack, a detail that has sparked national outrage.
The NCW said the country is “hurt and angry” by the terror act but urged restraint in targeting Himanshi Narwal, adding, “It is not right to troll a woman on the basis of her ideological expression or personal life.”
The commission also reminded citizens that “the dignity and respect of every woman is valuable” and called for constructive and respectful expressions even during national grief.The young widow of a 26-year-old Navy officer killed in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam has appealed to the nation to shun hatred and refrain from targeting Muslims or Kashmiris in the wake of the tragedy. — With inputs from PTI
