Why NCW's Statement on Pahalgam Victim Naval Officer's Wife is Cringe-Inducing

When, late on Sunday (May 4) night, the official X handle of the National Commission for Women (NCW) tweeted that the online trolling and abuse being hurled at Himanshi Narwal – widow of Pahalgam victim, Lt. Vinay Narwal, was not acceptable, ordinary citizens saw a rare glimmer of light.

For it is highly unusual for the NCW to even obliquely admonish folks who are visible supporters of the ruling party and its set of ideas – even if only through a tweet.

NCW's tepid response

Himanshi, who was on honeymoon with her husband in Pahalgam, witnessed his targeted killing—ostensibly for “not being a Muslim,” as she said, distraught, in a now-viral video. In a subsequent statement on May 1, she demonstrated statesperson-like poise and calm. Clearly responding to the hate campaign which had been launched by the usual suspects within India, she said, “We don't want people going against Muslims or Kashmiris. We want peace and only peace.”

The image of a stunned, newlywed Himanshi sitting next to the lifeless body of her naval officer husband in the Baisaran meadow, as the police and army took their time to reach them, became one of the defining images of the worst terror attack on civilians in India since 2008.

But after she spoke out against those in India who were busy communalising the tragedy, a predictable and now loud section of the hate army – including several anonymous and other well-recognised supporters of the ruling party – compounded the young widow’s agony with all manner of character assassination and accusations.

So why do I believe the NCW supposedly coming out on the side of Himanshi only adds to the sickness her trolling has already generated?

What has the NCW done in other cases where it has intervened? Suo motu cognisance and the issuance of notices have been its preferred course. In December 2024, it sought action against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over BJP MP Phangnon Konyak’s so-called “misbehaviour” charge in Parliament.

In November 2023, it sought registration of a criminal case against actor Mansoor Ali Khan for his sexist comment against colleague Trisha. Most recently, on April 10, the NCW condemned the abusive messages directed at ‘Rebel Kid’ Apoorva Mukhija after her appearance on India’s Got Latent led to vicious trolling on social media. The Commission asked the Mumbai Police to investigate those threatening her.

The handles slandering Himanshi Narwal are of a distinct persuasion. That explains why the NCW’s response has been so tepid.

What the NCW has said, half-heartedly, is that “being targeted on social media in reference to one of her statements is highly condemnable and unfortunate.” The reason why it thinks that is the case? “Trolling a woman based on her ideological expression or personal life is not acceptable in any form.”

That the NCW could not bring itself to say that the principle by which Narwal stood – in the face of the worst tragedy in her young life – is commendable is itself a sharp comment on the state of our national institutions in Modi’s “New India.”

Also Read: An Era of Darkness: How No Data Helps BJP’s Politics

The fact that Hindutva social media handles are driving the vile campaign against Himanshi is also why the NCW has not asked the police to investigate the matter and file a case. And that is why it stopped short of explicitly naming or confronting the organised nature and communal motivations of the attacks against her. The abuse included baseless conspiracy theories, personal attacks, character assassination and attempts to link her to the crime – all because her stand against those spreading communal hatred did not fit the dominant, vengeful narrative pushed by these groups.

By framing the backlash as generic “trolling” or “criticism,” the NCW has avoided addressing the hate campaign’s ideological roots and the communal, misogynistic nature of the harassment by Hindutva social media handles.

Navy out to sea?

What about the deceased Lt. Vinay Narwal’s colleagues in the Navy? Does the top brass of the Navy not think this is worth their time and attention? Lalita Ramdas, the indefatigable widow of Admiral Ramdas and daughter of Admiral Ram Dass Katari, the first Indian Chief of Naval Staff, did not spare any effort in strongly calling out the hate army. She termed Himanshi the “ideal Fauji wife.”

“This is a personal tribute from possibly one of the oldest Navy daughters/wives alive today to the newest and youngest among the special fraternity of Naval Wives. I am so proud of you as I watch the clip of your words to the press, over and over again,” Ramdas wrote in an open letter to Narwal.

“Your extraordinary strength, composure and conviction when you speak out against hate and targeting of Muslims and Kashmiris after the horrific killing of so many innocent men in Pahalgam on the 22nd is truly remarkable! And so badly needed in our times.”

Former Navy chief Admiral Arun Prakash has also come out in defence of Himanshi. “I cannot express enough respect and admiration for the tremendous courage and fortitude displayed by young Himanshi Narwal, in the face of a huge tragedy. Those who can stoop so low as to insult a Veer Nari, deserve the nation’s contempt”, he tweeted.

On its part, though, the Navy is yet to utter a word. Lalita Ramdas’s comments, when compared to the silence from Naval headquarters, is a reminder of the extent to which the brass has allowed the present political establishment’s ideas to undermine the espirit de corps of the Indian armed forces.

Why No Action Against Those Who Speak Same language as Asim Munir

The attack at Pahalgam – in which the terrorists sought out and killed non-Muslims – has in it the essence of the two-nation theory. This was something the Pakistan Chief of Army Staff, Asim Munir, had crudely referred to just a week before the attack. He had said Hindus and Muslims are distinct in “all aspects.”

“Our forefathers thought we were different from Hindus in every possible aspect of life. Our religion is different, our customs are different, our traditions are different, our thoughts are different, our ambitions are different. That’s where the foundation of the two-nation theory was laid. We are two nations, we are not one nation,” he said.

Who in India, and what kind of politics, speaks the same language as Munir? Or as the terrorists, who chose their victims on the basis of a Hindu-Muslim axis? Why has the Government of India not been able to issue a single advisory to guard against attempts to communalise and inflame passion?

It is certainly too much to expect the NCW to issue a commonsensical and firm directive that Himanshi Narwal must be praised for the content of her message—not only because the attack is outside the bounds of “civility” and “constitutional propriety.” It may even be a stretch, in Naya Bharat, to expect the Navy to speak up and defend their own. But is it too much to ask the Union government to issue a directive and go after all those who mirror the Asim Munir narrative of a ‘two nation theory’ in India?