NCW Defends Pahalgam Attack Victim Lt Vinay Narwal’s Wife, Condemns Online Trolling Over Her Remarks On Communal Harmony

New Delhi: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has come out in support of Himanshi Narwal, wife of Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was killed in the recent Pahalgam terror attack, denouncing the online trolling she has faced after urging people not to vilify Muslims and Kashmiris in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Lt Narwal was one of the victims of the April 22 attack near Pahalgam in south Kashmir that claimed the lives of 26 people, many of whom were tourists. His wife, Himanshi, had appealed for calm and communal harmony in the wake of the tragedy, which triggered a wave of criticism against her on social media.

NCW's Statement

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the NCW described the online backlash against Himanshi as “unfortunate” and called on citizens to maintain dignity in public discourse. “After the death of Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, the way his wife Himanshi Narwal is being criticised on social media in relation to one of her statements is unfortunate,” the commission wrote.

Have a look at their entire statement here:

While acknowledging that her remarks may not align with the sentiments of many in a moment of national pain, the NCW further emphasised that disagreement should be expressed within “constitutional limits” and in a manner respectful of individual rights.

According to reports, Lt Narwal was targeted and shot after being asked about his religion during the attack, a revelation that fueled public outrage. In the midst of this, Himanshi's appeal sparked a mixed reaction from netizens. In a statement given to the press, she had said, “We do not want people going after Muslims and Kashmiris," requesting people to maintain communal harmony in the country.

Here's her entire statement:

The NCW, while sharing the nation's grief and anger, urged people not to turn their frustration against an individual expressing their personal or ideological views.

“It is not right to troll a woman on the basis of her ideological expression or personal life,” the commission said, underscoring the need to preserve the dignity and respect of every woman, even during times of collective sorrow.

Published on: Monday, May 05, 2025, 10:39 AM IST