New Delhi: There was an outpouring of grief and support on social media as a photograph of Himanshi Narwal sitting stoically beside her husband’s body in the meadows of Baisaran Valley surfaced online.
It became the most moving image of the 22 April terror attack that claim the lives of her husband, Navy officer Vinay Narwal, and 25 others.
Things changed in just 10 days. Himanshi now faces a wave of social media hate after she said she doesn’t want people to go after Muslims and Kashmiris over the terror attack.
She should have been shot, said a user. She is a classic example of “Hindu Stockholm Syndrome”, said another, adding that she should be “studied”. Some asked, “what changed her mind”.
She is the same woman, the urge of earning money from Government and the 100% possibility of marrying again, changed her mind
— Lady Khabri (@KhabriBossLady) May 2, 2025
“It is because of women like her that all women are considered a laughing stock,” another said on X.
It all started with an interview. “We don’t want people going after Muslims and Kashmiris. We want peace and justice. People who have done wrong with him should be punished,” she said in the video interview Thursday.
“She is the same woman, the urge of earning money from the government and the 100% possibility of marrying again, changed her mind,” a user wrote in the comment section.
But Himanshi stands her ground. “I don’t look at these things on social media but I am aware of what has happened,” she told ThePrint Friday. “I know what I said and why I said it. I don’t want innocent lives to be impacted by this, whether Hindus or Muslims, they didn’t do this. Of course we want those responsible (for the attack) to be punished.”
Some online users questioned her demeanor and how she could look so “stable” in videos, and hurled comments like “she never seemed shocked”. Some even called her the “worst human”.
“Even in the first video, she never seemed shocked, it was as if she was having a normal conversation. Is that how a person behaves when their family member is killed in front of their eyes by terrorists?” wrote a user.
“Sarv Dharm Vadapao ultra pro Max… Her husband’s pants were pulled down to check if he’s a Hindu…- Her husband was shot in front of her…Today, she is asking not to target Muslims or Kashmiris!!” — one user wrote.
Lieutenant Vinay Narwal and Himanshi were on their honeymoon in Pahalgam when the terrorists attacked. They had gotten married just a week before.
Vinay had been serving in the Indian Navy for the last three years.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
And please change the article heading from Pahalgam widow to Pahalgam Braveheart
Poor girl, just married and she has to go through this. Really feel sorry for her. GOD didnt allow her to cherish her marriage even for 10days. GOD has been cruel to her.
Brave Girl🙏
3 handles , for all we know being operated from islamabad, represent right wing voters ..ao 8 jehadis and thousands like them represent whom ? Why does The Print have people like this as reporters …..
Ms. Himanshi Narwal is skillfully milking the “situation” to gain the most out of it. “Secular” political parties like the Congress would readily give a limb to have her on their rolls. She seems to have a solid future in politics.
We should be happy to note that Lt. Narwal’s death did not go in vain. At least someone gained something out of it.
Amazing woman who could keep her composure and her sense of justice in the face of an immense tragedy. We need more such.
So, Social media keyboard warriors become the representative of the so called RW, Yes, What they are saying should be named and shamed publicly, But then what about the other side when they write such low level vile messeges, then they suddenly ‘don’t represent the entire community’, ‘they are some fringe elements’, ‘they don’t represent true religion’, etc., etc.