In India today, the price of conversation with empathy is increasing – and for women it often comes with fear, threats and abuse. Two recent stories show this with heartbreaking clarity. Shaila Negi, a young Hindu woman from Uttarakhand, and Himanshi Narwal, the new secret widow of a army officer killed in a terrorist attack in Kashmir, both chose peace over hatred. Both asked people not to turn their personal pain into common anger.
And for that, both Shaila and Himanshi were punished.
Under different circumstances, their simple requests came to a storm of the troll, rape threats and cruel attacks on their character. What do these answers tell us about who can speak in India – and what happens when women choose harmony about hate?
Nainital, April 2025: A city on the edge
It started with a tragic incident.
On the day of April 30th in Nainital, Uttarakhand, the police registered a complaint about the alleged sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl. A 76-year-old man named Usman was accused of the same, and this news of the attack of the Muslim man spread out as quickly as water.
Source: Inquilab
A lot began to gather in front of the police station. At first it was a protest that demanded justice. But soon the situation changed. Hindu organizations came and slogans became aggressive. Business of Muslims were devastated. A mosque was stoned. The vehicles were damaged and the windows of the nearby houses were broken. The main market of Nainital was closed.
In a city that was known for its quiet hills and peaceful coexistence, this felt like something that left. The calm air was now filled with loud anger and guilt, and a mob that was ready to burn and break the spirit of unity onto the ground.
But only one voice rose over the sound.
Shaila Negi: Courage voice
A video began to circulate on social media. It showed itself Shaila NegiIn the middle of an charged amount. Hindu slogans echoed around her, but she wasn’t there to join them.
But she continued to ask people to stop, to think, not to have this tragedy transformed into a hatred of hatred, and she was firmly on the floor when she fought herself from all the sound comments and debts. She said, “We want justice, no hate.” “Do not do this about religion. This is about a girl who needs support, not violence. ‘
Shaila stood like a mountain in a place where women are often said that they should stay calm and do not involve “public affairs” and urged itself to rising hatred.
Her courage was undeniable. Shaila stood like a mountain in a place where women are often said that they should stay calm and do not involve “public affairs” and urged itself to rising hatred. When the mob tried to shout her down, she kept her floor.
And for that she became a goal.
From applause to abuse: the counter reaction begins
At first many Shaila praised for their bravery. But soon the sound changed. She started rape threats on social media. People questioned their “loyalty” for their religion. They accused them of being a “sympathizer”, protecting Muslims, standing against “Hindu pride”. The same video that showed her courage has now been used to attack it.
The message was clear: a woman who rises from the line – especially to defend unity – is not only wrong. It is dangerous.
Source: Fii
This is not a new pattern. In fact, another woman was in a completely different part of the country.
Himanshi Narwal: from national grief to targeted hatred
On April 22, newlywed Lieutenant Vinay Narwal and Himanshi Narwal Were on their honeymoon in Pahangam, Kashmir when a terrorist attack developed. Vinay, an officer of the Indian army, was captured with a gun held up, asked about his religion and shot. The attack demanded over 20 lives.
Himanshi’s photo – in red bridal ribbons that are quiet next to her husband’s coffin – publish a national symbol of grief. Media, social media user and politician informed their image to show the pain of a “Hindu woman” who lost her soldier -husband through “Muslim terrorists”.
But then Himanshi said.
A call for peace that triggered anger: the story of Himanshi Narwal
In an emotional message, Himanshi asked the country not to spread hatred. “We don’t want people to go against Muslims or Kashmiris. We want peace and only peace,” she said.
Her words spoken in mourning, but full of maturity and compassion, were quickly twisted. The same people who had shared their photo with hashtags like #JuSticeforvinay now turned against them.
The same people who had shared their photo with hashtags like #JuSticeforvinay now turned against them.
It was described as anti-national, accused of being a sympathizer of terrorists, and looked like a coordinated wave of online abuse.
Himanshi’s social media contributions were flooded with threats and slopes. Strangers have dug up in their online activity and pointed out Muslim friends, restaurant reviews and old photos. It was called “Pro-Pakistan”, “Islamist apologet”, and worse. Even her love for her husband was interviewed. Some said they didn’t “mourn”. Others said they betrayed the army.
Source: strategy
This was not just trolling. It was an attempt to shake a woman, to silence and delete that refused to become a tool of hatred.
The pattern that we cannot ignore
What do Shaila and Himanshi have in common? They are both Hindu women. They are both victims – one of the public threats, the other of personal loss. And both refused to have their identity used to spread violence.
In return, they were abused, threatened and ashamed – not for a crime, but because they dared to be calm in a fire period and to choose a unit about the division.
This tells us something important about the times when we live: a woman who speaks with compassion is often more dangerous for Hassmongers than a man who demands violence.
When women refuse to be puppets
There is growing expectation in the public sector: women, especially Hindu women, should act as symbols of honor, pain or pride – but only if it serves masterful stories. It is expected to cry on command, scream in anger or stand as a victim – provided that municipal trouble.
There is growing expectation in the public sector in India: women, especially Hindu women, should act as symbols of honor, pain or pride – but only if it serves masterful stories.
But when these women speak for peace? When would you choose via the split? They are called traitors.
It is important to ask: Why does that happen?
Because Hass needs symbols and it hates when these symbols refuse to follow the script.
Speak as a woman in India: precarious, dangerous, necessary
In a country in which women still fight for fundamental rights, this is not only brave – especially about municipal violence. It is risky. Regardless of whether it is a student activist, a journalist or a grieving widow as soon as a woman speaks against hate, she is no longer considered “neutral”. It is considered politically, problematic or even dangerous.
The fact that rape threats are the first form of punishment says something about how the patriarchy and majoritarianism work hand in hand. It’s not just about silence voices – it’s about breaking spirits.
Source: Telegraph India
Nevertheless, women like Shaila and Himanshi still speak. Still resist. Still believe in a future that is not based on fear.
We have to listen to women like Shaila and Himanshi – and protect them
India is not missing from brave women. What is missing is a society that protects it after speaking.
Shaila Negi did not have to go to protest that day. Himanshi Narwal could have been silent in her grief. But they didn’t do it. They stood up – not for attention, not because of fame – but for peace and for something better than revenge.
They showed us how real strength looks. No loud slogans. Not bad mobs.
But calm, unshakable dignity in the face of hatred.
And for that they earn more than just our applause. You earn security. You deserve support. You earn a country with you.
Because if India cannot protect his women when they speak for peace, what kind of nation do we build?
Anushka Bharadwaj is a graduate of journalism at SCMC Pune. She is an intersectional feminist with deep interest in gender, caste, politics and mental health. If she does not write or reads, she is usually lost in poetry, dances to her favorite songs or discovers new music – always thinking about the world after stories.