New Delhi [India]: CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas on Monday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing deep concern over a series of vicious cyber attacks targeting Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and his family. The attacks reportedly followed Misri’s articulation of India’s official position after Operation Sindoor, launched in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.
In a strongly-worded letter, Brittas condemned the “coordinated and orchestrated” nature of the digital defamation campaign, calling it a “disturbing pattern” intended to discredit civil servants executing sovereign policy decisions.
“These coordinated online assaults… reveal a disturbing pattern of digital defamation aimed at discrediting the very custodians of our constitutional and administrative order,” Brittas stated.
Misri, as Foreign Secretary, had conveyed the Indian government’s official response to Operation Sindoor, launched following the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that left 26 people dead. Brittas noted that Misri was only communicating decisions ratified by the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Family Targeted, Online Abuse Intensifies
Highlighting the personal toll, Brittas said that even Misri’s children were dragged into online abuse, prompting the top diplomat to restrict visibility of his social media posts to shield his family.
“So virulent and relentless has the online vilification been that Misri was compelled to restrict visibility of his posts on X in order to shield himself and his family,” the MP wrote.
Call for Immediate Action
Brittas urged the Home Minister to launch an immediate inquiry and punish the perpetrators, warning that such unchecked attacks would have a “chilling effect” on India’s civil service.
“To allow him to be hounded and humiliated for conveying the sovereign position of the country… is not only unjust but also deeply demoralising to the permanent executive as a whole.”
He cautioned that these are not spontaneous expressions of dissent, but deliberate campaigns designed to intimidate public officials, sow division, and weaken institutional integrity.
“These orchestrated campaigns erode public confidence and threaten the stability of our democratic institutions.”
Conclusion
Brittas concluded with an urgent appeal for protection of public officials and their families, and demanded that steps be taken to safeguard the dignity and independence of India’s bureaucratic institutions.