Expressing solidarity with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri after he and a family member faced social media trolling, senior IAS officers, the IAS Association, and retired diplomats Sunday condemned the personal attacks.
On May 10, Misri made the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan on behalf of the Indian government. Following this, Misri and a family member became the targets of social media attacks. The senior officer has made his X account private now.
Reacting to the attacks, the IAS Association posted on X: “The IAS Association stands in solidarity with Shri Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary, & his family. Unwarranted personal attacks on civil servants performing their duties with integrity are deeply regrettable. We reaffirm our commitment to uphold the dignity of public service.”
Though the account is not verified on X, it has been active since 2011, and is followed by top bureaucrats. The senior officers confirmed that it is indeed the association’s account.
Not just the association but fellow 1989-batch civil servants serving in the Union government, too, came out in support of Misri.
V Srinivas, the Union Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances Secretary, said on X: “Amb Vikram Misri is amongst India’s most celebrated Diplomats, has always epitomised the best values of service above self and Nation First approach, I express my solidarity with him.”
Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, Housing and Urban Affairs, said on X: “Highly regrettable that dedicated & sincere civil servants are targeted for performing their duties. Mr Vikram Misri is an exemplary civil servant & batchmate. His devotion to duty must be applauded & his family’s dignity must be defended.”
Story continues below this ad
Retired IFS officers, too, expressed dismay at the online attacks on Misri and the family member.
Nirupama Menon Rao, who retired as foreign secretary in 2011, posted on X: “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 daughter and abusing his loved ones crosses every line of decency. This toxic hate must stop—stand united behind our diplomats, not tear them down.”
Another retired IFS officer and former Ambassador to UAE and Egypt, Navdeep Suri, posted on X: “It is absolutely disgusting to see the trolls target Foreign Secretary @VikramMisri and his family. He has been a picture of professionalism—calm, composed, measured and articulate. But that’s not enough for the bloodlust of a section of our society. Shameful!”
Vikram Misri, a 1989-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, helmed the press briefings during Operation Sindoor and the subsequent military actions from May 7 to May 10. In response to the April 22 terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, the armed forces had launched Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
