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Kerala Kaumudi Online
Monday, 07 July 2025 9.51 PM IST

The quiet Indian

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Personal insults against prominent people have turned into a new normal. The latest victim of such a cyber hit job was Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Even his family were not spared which saw Netziens sharing the phone number of Misri’s daughter in the public domain.

Many made baseless allegations and criticisms, placing full responsibility for India's ceasefire agreement with Pakistan on Misri's lack of diplomatic flair. Many others blamed Misri's daughter, a lawyer by profession for allegedly providing legal aid to Rohingya refugees and thus confirmed that the family were soft on their stance on Pakistan. Many even alleged Misri of colluding with Pakistan.

With the deluge of insults and expletives, Misri was left with no option but to lock his X account.

Misri’s allotted job was to explain to the media the decisions taken by the political leadership in India. Misri, who has served as private secretary to three prime ministers, is a fair-minded official known for his honesty and efficiency. The IAS Officers' Association (IAS) has expressed regret over the attacks on social media targeting Misri and his family.

Diplomats, who are at the receiving end of such insults are often advised to not respond and practice caution. Criticising politicians and diplomats is not the same. Politicians tend to listen to criticism and even respond to clear the air. Meanwhile, diplomats who are brutally insulted with families also being dragged in are expected to keep their professional ethics higher and remain schtum. Such insults and barbs at the family members of the officials are tenuous and sometimes could coerce the officials to cross the expected line of dignity.

When P.V. Narasimha Rao was the Prime Minister, the Finance Department was held by Manmohan Singh, a newbie in politics. Seeing the press glorifying the then Leader of the Opposition, Atal Bihari Vajpayee's criticism of economic reforms, Manmohan Singh requested the Prime Minister to allow him to resign.

Narasimha Rao laughed off the request, called Vajpayee, and informed him of the incident. Rao then educated Singh about the game of politics.

The trolls and attacks against Misri are only going to tarnish the country. Freedom of expression will always be a cornerstone of the Constitution. It should not be recklessly used during concerning times.

TAGS: INDIAN, MISRI, VIKRAM, PAKISTAN, PAHALGAM, SECRETARY, ROHINGYA
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