‘Shameful’: Support pours in for foreign secretary Vikram Misri as trolls target his family

NEW DELHI: Foreign secretary Vikram Misri, who faced social media trolling after India and Pakistan's ceasefire announcement, received strong support from various civil service associations and political leaders.The IAS Association expressed solidarity with Misri and his family through a social media post, condemning "unwarranted personal attacks" on civil servants performing their duties with integrity. "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," IAS association said in a post on X.The IRTS Association and IRS (C&IT) Association similarly denounced the abuse directed at Misri and his family, emphasising the need to maintain respect and decorum."The IRTS Association strongly condemns unwarranted abuse and personal attacks against Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri and his family. We urge everyone to maintain respect and decorum, acknowledging his dedicated service and significant contributions towards the nation," it said in a post on X."IRS (C&IT) Association strongly condemns the reprehensible personal attacks against Foreign Secretary Sh. Vikram Misri & his family. We stand in complete solidarity with them amid unwarranted personal criticism. We reaffirm our firm resolve to upholding dignity of public service," IRS said in a post.Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav defended Misri in a post, stating that such attacks damage the morale of dedicated officers. He also criticised the BJP government's silence on the matter and their failure to protect the officer's dignity."It is the government's responsibility to make decisions - not individual officers. Some anti-social criminal elements are openly crossing all limits of abusive language against the officer and his family, but neither the BJP government nor any of its ministers are coming forward to protect his honour and respect or discussing possible action against those who make such unwanted posts," Akhilesh wrote on X.The controversy arose after India and Pakistan reached an understanding to halt all military actions across land, air, and sea, following four days of cross-border drone and missile strikes that had brought the nations close to full-scale war. Misri announced that the director generals of military operations from both countries had agreed to this during a call, with follow-up talks scheduled for May 12.US President Donald Trump's claim of American mediation in the talks added another dimension to the situation.Former foreign secretary Nirupama Menon strongly condemned the trolling, particularly the doxxing of Misri's daughter and attacks on his family, calling it "utterly shameful" and a violation of basic decency.Also read: 'Works tirelessly for our nation': Asaduddin Owaisi defends foreign secretary Vikram MisriAIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also defended Misri, describing him as a "decent, honest, hard-working diplomat" and reminded critics that civil servants work under executive direction and shouldn't be blamed for political decisions."Mr Vikram Misri is a decent, honest, hard-working diplomat working tirelessly for our nation. Our civil servants work under the executive this must be remembered & they shouldn't be blamed for the decisions taken by the executive or any political leadership running Watan E Aziz," Owaisi said.