Widow of Indian naval officer killed in Pahalgam attack becomes target of right-wing trolls

Just days after tying the knot, Indian naval officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal and his spouse Himanshi Swami went to Indian occupied Kashmir for their honeymoon. On April 22, Narwal was among 26 individuals killed in an attack in Pahalgam. Reports indicate that he was allegedly questioned about his religion before being fatally shot.

As the Indian nation grieved the attack, images of Himanshi Narwal sitting next to her husband's body became a symbol of collective mourning. However, what transpired next triggered a cascade of attacks against the young widow.

In her first public statement following the attack, Himanshi said: “We do not want to oppose Muslims or Kashmiris. Our only desire is for peace — nothing else.” Her comments, intended to mitigate tensions, emerged during a time when online outrage was escalating. Many had begun equating the attackers with entire communities, particularly Muslims and Kashmiris.

Rather than receiving support, Himanshi became a target of right-wing Hindutva nationalists. She faced trolling for her remarks, was accused of "virtue signaling," and labeled a “publicity seeker,” placing her at the heart of harsh social media backlash.

Some extremist users on X questioned her loyalty to the country and doubted her mourning. A viral post alleged she had connections with “Kashmiri radicals” and ridiculed her for having previously joked about wearing a hijab. Others went further, with one calling her a “JNU liberal, tukde tukde gang,” and declaring she shouldn’t receive “a single penny from the government.” Another claimed her secular views were due to “an affair with a Kashmiri Muslim,” and speculated that she would soon file false legal cases against her in-laws and resume dating her ex.

One particularly vicious post read: “She saw Vinay's death as an opportunity to climb the social and political ladder. She will become the face of Wire, Scroll, Washington Post & used by anti-India elements.” Another said, “You think she is innocent? She is not even sad. She started virtue signalling even before Lieutenant Vinay's funeral pyre got settled.”

The attacks turned deeply personal — with one post even suggesting that she should forfeit her late husband's pension. In response, the National Commission for Women (NCW) released a statement denouncing the trolling. “Targeting a woman for her opinions or her personal life is unacceptable,” the Commission stated, emphasizing that disagreements should remain within “constitutional boundaries.”

NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar also commented on the matter, affirming that while individuals may disagree with Himanshi’s perspective, resorting to personal abuse to silence her is intolerable.

Some users pointed out that the trolling is indicative of a far bigger rot in the Indian society.

At the same time, others on X have spoken up in her defense. One user wrote:

“Dear Himanshi,
Stay strong. You’ve lost your husband — you know the pain of deep, irreparable loss. And yet, in the midst of your grief, you still speak of peace and calm. Your appeal is thoughtful and courageous, a reflection of true humanity. Many need to learn from your strength.”