Why wife of Indian Navy officer killed in Pahalgam terror attack is being trolled

Himanshi Narwal, the wife of Navy officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal who died in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, is being heavily trolled on social media.

The issue has now been taken up by the National Commission for Women (NCW).

“It is not right to troll a woman on the basis of her ideological expression or personal life," the women’s panel posted on X.

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Lt Narwal , 26, was a Navy officer from Karnal in Haryana. He had been married for only a week before he was killed in the attack.

But why is his wife being targeted online? And what exactly did the NCW say?

We explain the reasons behind the trolling, the NCW’s response, and what users are saying online.

Why Navy officer Lt Vinay Narwal’s wife is being trolled online

After the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, Himanshi Narwal spoke publicly for the first time and urged people not to spread hate against Muslims or Kashmiris.

“I don’t want any hatred towards anybody. The people going against the Muslims and Kashmiris, we don’t want this. We want peace and only peace,” she said, according to a report by The Hindu.

She said that she wanted the nation to pray for her husband’s peace, good spirit and well-being, wherever he may be. She also called for justice, saying those responsible for the attack should be punished.

After her remarks, she was heavily trolled on social media.

One user on X claimed she would “take her in-laws’ properties” and “leave them destitute”.
Some questioned how she could talk about peace when her husband had been killed by terrorists. Others focused on her recent marriage and honeymoon, with claims that the trip was “her idea”.

Some also questioned how she appeared so “stable” in videos after the attack, saying “she never seemed shocked”.

One person even suggested that the attack “felt like a set-up with her involvement” and that security agencies should check her background. Another wrote, “This is not secularism. This is openly supporting Islamist terrorists and their actions.”

Amid the backlash, Himanshi received support from All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi.

“There is no need to do politics. Himanshi (wife of deceased Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal)’s husband was shot dead. They were there six days after their wedding. The terrorists killed him. Himanshi gives a message to those people who live in our country and spread Hindu-Muslim poison. She says that she lost her husband but she doesn’t want hatred against Muslims and Kashmiris,” he was quoted as saying by NDTV.

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National Commission for Women reacts

Responding to the criticism of Himanshi Narwal’s remarks, the National Commission for Women (NCW) said the nation is “hurt and angry” after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam , where Lt Vinay Narwal and others were asked about their religion before being shot dead but it “is not right to troll a woman on the basis of her ideological expression.”

“After the death of Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, the way his wife Himanshi Narwal is being targeted on social media in relation to one of her statements is extremely reprehensible and unfortunate. It is not right to troll a woman on the basis of her ideological expression or personal life,” it posted on X.

The women’s panel said that while many may not agree with Himanshi’s views, any disagreement must stay within “constitutional limits” and respectful conversation.

“The National Commission for Women is committed to protect the dignity and respect of every woman,” it added.

A photo of Himanshi sitting beside her husband’s body later went viral, with several users, including official accounts, sharing a Studio Ghibli-style version of the image as a tribute.

‘Shameful & inhuman’: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also condemned the online abuse directed at the wife of the Navy officer.

“In the Pahalgam terror attack, a young Navy Man was shot dead, today his young wife is being maligned, character assassinated, abused, trolled and hated upon because she asked for justice over hate,” she posted on X.

“She’s the one dealing with the loss, she’s the one who will have to live a life only with memories of her slain husband and all that these sick trolls have to offer is more hate, how are they any different from the terrorists? one killed her husband physically, these keyboard haters are killing her spirit mentally,” she added.

Notably, Himanshi and her husband had initially planned to travel to Europe for their honeymoon, but visa delays forced them to change plans. They decided at the last minute to visit Jammu and Kashmir.

The Pahalgam attack further worsened relations between India and Pakistan. On Saturday, India banned imports coming from or passing through Pakistan, and also barred Pakistani ships from entering Indian ports.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country remains committed to taking “firm and decisive” steps against terrorists and those who support them.

With inputs from agencies