Following the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, that took the lives of 26 people, among them Indian Navy officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, Himanshi Narwal, the widow of the officer, has come under fire for an appeal she made on social media. In her viral video, she called for Indian citizens to stop hating Muslims or Kashmiris or terrorism and has been traumatized with online bullying.
A Summary of the Pahalgam Incident
The gruesome and inhumane act of terror that took place in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, saw the 26-year-old Navy officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal being one of the numerous victims. It was reported that the attackers first inquired about the religion of the victims they intended to execute, demonstrating the savage nature of the terror attack. Vinay was on his honeymoon, which sadly turned into a tragedy for him and his wife, Himanshi.
Himanshi Narwal’s Statement for Peace
While most people are trying to focus on living through the grief, Narwal Himanshi, a PhD candidate from Gurugram, made a plea for peace, pointing to the dire need for it in society. She noted that citizens should not channel their anger towards Muslims or Kashmiris and that it is more productive to work and work for peace instead. In her speech she said, “We don’t want people going against Muslims or Kashmiris,” and reiterated the need for coming together.
In a video statement, she said, “We want to ensure that people do not go against Muslims or Kashmiris. We would only like to have peace.”
Online Backlash and Trolling
In spite of the hopeful message of unity, Himanshi was subject to severe online trolling. Users on social media platforms accused her of having a lack of empathy and even questioned her intention. Some of them even went to the extent of alleging her to be a part of the attack, highlighting the often toxic nature of online conversations.
National Commission for Women’s Intervention
The National Commission for Women (NCW) reacted to the trolling directed at Himanshi Narwal, saying that it is ‘highly condemnable and unfortunate’ to attack a woman for expressing her opinion. “Each and every person has the right to express their disagreement with others’ views. But they must remain civil and within the bounds of the constitution,” emphasized the NCW chairperson, Vijaya Rahatkar.
Political Leaders Stand in Support
Many of the political leaders came forward to support Himanshi. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sindhu Jagtap praised the need to extend empathy towards someone who endured immense personal grief and labeled the attacks as ‘sick.’
After the Attack—Further Anti-Muslim Sentiment Escalation
With the attack on Pahalgam, Islamophobic tendencies have been on the rise throughout India. There have been reports of Muslims and Kashmiris suffering harassment, eviction, and violence. This is exactly why Himanshi decided to make the appeal she did, in an effort to stem this tide.
Social Media and Its Outward Contribution to Hate
In Himanshi’s case, social media was one of the key outlets that helped spread the hate against her. The damage that will come from social media can be encountered mainly by the speed with which things get spread, along with the faceless nature of social media.
Discrimination and the Need for Empathy
Himanshi Narwal bringing attention to herself in such a fashion marks a turning point to understand the need for empathy and basic humanity during national disasters. By her initiative, the coexistence message reiterates the fact that constructive progress stems from empathy, not hatred and violence.
