New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, an IFS (Indian Foreign Service) officer of 1989 batch, faced a wave of personal abuse on social media after announcing a government decision on India-Pakistan military operations, prompting swift condemnation from civil service associations and political leaders across party lines.
As a leading media portal covering the bureaucracy and highlighting its wide-ranging positive contributions, Indian Masterminds (IM) stands firmly in solidarity with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and his family during this challenging time. The unwarranted abuse, threats, and vicious trolling directed at a dedicated diplomat who has served India with unmatched integrity and professionalism are deeply condemnable.
Mr Misri, currently serving as the 35th Foreign Secretary of India, who briefed the media on Saturday regarding the India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement, was targeted by abusive comments, including offensive remarks directed at his daughter. The intensity of the online trolling forced the seasoned diplomat to lock his X (formerly Twitter) account.
The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Association issued a strong statement on X, saying, “Unwarranted personal attacks on civil servants performing their duties with integrity are deeply regrettable. We reaffirm our commitment to uphold the dignity of public service.”
The IAS Association stands in solidarity with Shri Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary, & his family.
— IAS Association (@IASassociation) May 11, 2025
Unwarranted personal attacks on civil servants performing their duties with integrity are deeply regrettable.
We reaffirm our commitment to uphold the dignity of public service. pic.twitter.com/qahtRLfCLF
The Indian Police Service (IPS) Association echoed this sentiment, calling the attacks “absolutely intolerable.”
— IPS Association (@IPS_Association) May 11, 2025
The Indian Forest Association (IFS) also vehemently condemns the personal attacks and calls Mr. Misri a dedicated diplomat.
The IFS Association vehemently condemns the personal attacks on Foreign Secretary Sh. Vikram Misri and his family. Such baseless targeting of dedicated diplomats is regrettable. We reaffirm our commitment to uphold the dignity of public service. pic.twitter.com/2mbidOKW3d
— IFS Association (@CentralIfs) May 12, 2025
Prominent political leaders also spoke out in Misri’s defence. Congress leader Sachin Pilot condemned the trolling, stating, “It’s unacceptable to target our professional diplomats and civil servants – those who work dedicatedly to serve the nation.” His colleague Gaurav Gogoi emphasized that Misri was merely conveying a policy decision taken by the political leadership.
AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi reminded critics that civil servants operate under the directives of the executive branch and should not be held personally accountable for political decisions.
V. Srinivas, Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), and a batchmate of Misri, described him as “one of India’s most celebrated diplomats” who consistently embodies a “Nation First” ethos.
The backlash against Misri follows a fragile India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement, which has triggered mixed reactions amid continued violations along the Line of Control. Despite the criticism, officials reaffirmed that the announcement was part of a broader diplomatic effort aimed at reducing military escalation.
The incident has reignited debates about the responsibilities of public servants, the boundaries of public discourse on social media, and the need to safeguard the dignity of civil service in times of heightened political and military sensitivity.
