“Proud of you”: Support for Vikram Misri rises as trolls target his family
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri turned into the midst of a problem in recent days. While pursuing his diplomatic activities, he and his circle of relatives needed to undergo vicious feedback and social media trolling. The episode raised a huge question—should the family of someone who is holding a public post also be attacked like this?
Origin of the incident: When the family was attacked
It all started when Vikram Misri visited Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, in December 2024. There he made a statement about the safety of minorities. He made this statement while reacting to the situation there, which included incidents of attacks on Hindu temples and the arrest of spiritual guru Chinmoy Krishna Das.
Misri had spoken on behalf of India and had urged the government of Bangladesh to provide security to minorities in their nation. But post-his statement, some sections began criticizing him on social media.
Things took a turn for the worse when trolls began targeting his family too. Objectionable posts were made on social media regarding his family members, which intruded into their privacy and went beyond the boundaries of online indecency.
Public support: Voices in favor of Vikram Misri
People’s support in response to this online attack came without hesitation. On social media, ordinary people, politicians, former diplomats, and numerous social workers freely raised their voices in support of Vikram Misri and his family.
People uttered in one voice that involving the family of those who are serving the country in such trouble is isplaceable.
A high-ranking former diplomat stated, “Those who serve the nation deserve respect, and no attempt should be made to tarnish the reputation of their family. Vikram Misri and his family also deserve the same right of dignity and privacy as any ordinary citizen.”
Everyone termed this trolling against human values and democracy. Everyone stated that one can criticize someone’s thought, but the criticism should never become personal.
Obscuring social media-private life boundaries
This whole incident reflects how obscure the lines between private and public life have become in the current digital era. A public figure may have to bear criticism, but should his family also fall prey to it?
Experts who work with digital ethics opine that attacking an individual’s personal life, particularly his family, in such a manner online is an infringement of ethical boundaries.
The experts further opined that social media websites will need to be more proactive and responsible in these situations. The reporting mechanism will need to be made stronger and immediate action will need to be taken against offensive material.
Meanwhile, it is also necessary that we all spread the culture of empathy and tolerance in online messaging.
Way forward: Need for accountability and strict measures
Currently, there is immense demand throughout the country that severe action must be taken against people who are trolling Vikram Misri and his family on social media.
As per reports, a probe has been initiated in this case and concerned agencies are busy with the identification of those who commented indecently.
In addition to this, social media firms are also being urged to make their policies transparent and be a supportive force in such cases.
In the midst of all this, Vikram Misri has not allowed any laxity in his diplomatic efforts. He is busy building the image of the country at the global level as before.
What is the lesson from this?
This episode is not only the tale of a diplomat but of all those who are in public service and whose family has to bear the cost of this service.
We need to realize that criticism and disagreement are democratic rights, but with that also comes decorum.
To combat trolling, it is not only the duty of law and social media sites but of all of us to have a good and respectful online community.
Conclusion: The power of solidarity and the need for humanity
What befell Vikram Misri and his family is tragic, but the response from all over the country indicates that humanity and solidarity are not dead.
This is a clear message that we must all join together to build an online space where individuals can speak their minds—without fear, without humiliation.
May 25, 2025