- Monday, May 05, 2025
Himanshi Narwal had asked people not to target Muslims and Kashmiris following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir
By: India Weekly
THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN (NCW) has attacked online trolls who are targeting Himanshi Narwal, wife of Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was among those killed in a recent terror attack in Pahalgam, for her plea not to target Muslims and Kashmiris.
The commission said it is not right to troll a woman based on her ideological expression or personal life.
On Thursday (1), which would have been the Vinay’s 27th birthday, Himanshi told reporters, “We do not want people going after Muslims and Kashmiris.”
During the occasion, a blood donation camp was organized in Narwal’s hometown Karnal. She told reporters, “I just want the entire nation to pray for him, that wherever he is, he remains healthy and happy.”
Following her statement, the slain naval officer’s wife was reportedly trolled on social media platforms.
The posts were written in unprintable language, displaying religious bigotry and misogyny.
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 criticized 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.
Narwal was among the 26 people, mostly tourists, gunned down by terrorists at the Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam on April 22, in one of the worst terror attacks on civilians in Kashmir in the recent past.
The couple got married on April 16 and went to Kashmir on their honeymoon.
They were eating bhelpuri at Baisaran Valley, when a man approached them.
A video recorded shortly after the shooting showed Himanshi, stunned, telling the person behind the camera: “We were eating bhelpuri when a man came and told my husband you are not Muslim and shot him.”
Narwal was serving at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi for the past one-and-a-half years after joining the Navy in 2022.
Lalita Ramdas, an educationist and the widow of the late Admiral L Ramdas, described Himanshi as “the perfect Fauji wife” in a note sent to the chief of naval staff and shared on social media.
“You are the perfect Fauji wife Himanshi, true to the spirit of the service, the Constitution and to our secular values,” Lalita Ramdas wrote.
“I am so proud of you as I watch the clip of your words to the press, over and over again. Your extraordinary strength, composure and conviction when you speak out against hate and targeting of Muslims and Kashmiris after the horrific killing of so many innocent men in Pahalgam on the 22nd is truly remarkable. And so badly needed in our times,” she added.
Lalita’s father Admiral Ram Dass Katari was independent India’s first Indian chief of naval staff.
