India-Pakistan tensions: Pause largely holds, but guns still boom on social media

NEW DELHI: A day after India and Pakistan announced a stoppage of military activity, posts on the face-off continue to swamp social media.

Getting suddenly into 'pause' mode drew another groan of disappointment from the Right, especially in the manner it came about. Noted columnist Swapan Dasgupta, a member of BJP national executive with 1.1 million X followers, posted, "This ceasefire/'understanding' hasn't gone down well in India for (at least) 2 reasons: 1) It was peremptorily announced by Trump who suddenly appeared out of nowhere & pronounced his verdict 2) It is clear that Pakistan still sees terror strikes against Bharat as a virtuous act, even if it is regarded as an act of war."

Former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal, now chancellor of JNU, also expressed displeasure on X underlining that Pakistan had been let off. He stated, "At the international level the issue of Pak involvement in terror has been papered over and the burden has been put on both countries to exercise restraint and find a diplomatic solution." Sibal further said, "US claiming mediation has detracted from India's long held position against mediation. US is equating India and Pakistan. This has implications. Can US be trusted?"

Shefali Vaidya, convenor of the Indic Academy with nearly 800,000 followers, tweeted Saturday. "Don't understand the logic behind the sudden #ceasefire TBH, it feels like a bit anticlimactic to quit when you are clearly ahead, but I trust the leadership of my country to take the best decision under the circumstances."

After watching the Sunday DGMO briefing, though, she said, "Seeing the DGMO press briefing live makes my heart filled with pride. This is how a professional force behaves, provide solid proof, speak in measured tones, unlike the over-the-top Pakistani army guys claiming victory!"

Sadly, a 'dirty' online attack on foreign secretary Vikram Misri and his family also raged through Sunday. The right-wing trolling of the senior diplomat drew sharp denunciation far and wide. Even those who do not support govt on many issues came out in support of Misri.

Pollster Yashwant Deshmukh wrote on X, "We all stand with #VikramMisri. Those who are trolling him, are simply Pakistani stooges living in India. If you are playing in enemy hands, you are a traitor hired by the enemy. That's the bottom line. These trolls should be named, shamed and if possible tried in the court."

Defence analyst Sushant Sareen posted, "Disgusting demented dredges of humanity. Vikram Misri is one of the finest officers of IFS and to target his family is the most low (sic) blow anyone can strike. Vile creatures who do this."