Himanshi Narwal: ‘Vinay Died a Hero, But We Don’t Hate Muslims or Kashmiris’
Karnal, 29th April 2025: Amid the weight of personal tragedy, Himanshi Narwal, wife of Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was killed in the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, has emerged as a voice of peace and unity.
Speaking at a blood donation camp organized on her husband’s birthday, Himanshi made an emotional appeal to the country — not for revenge, but for justice and harmony.
“The way people are speaking against Muslims and Kashmiris after the incident — it should not happen. We want just peace and only peace. We want justice. Those who have done wrong should be punished,” she said, her voice breaking but steady.
The camp, held in Karnal, Haryana, saw participation from local residents and supporters from outside the city, all coming together to donate blood in memory of the slain officer. Himanshi, along with family members, also donated blood — a gesture that symbolized the values Vinay stood for: service, sacrifice, and unity.
Tears welled up in the eyes of family members as they remembered Vinay, who was shot dead by terrorists in front of Himanshi during a trip to Baisaran near Pahalgam. The April 22 attack claimed 26 lives.
‘I Don’t Hate Anyone’
“I want to appeal to the whole country to pray for Vinay. And I want to say one more thing — I do not hate anyone,” Himanshi said, responding to the wave of anger and divisive rhetoric that has surfaced online and offline since the incident.
She recounted the tragic moment with harrowing clarity. “We had just reached Baisaran around 2 PM. While we were eating, I heard gunfire. A man standing nearby looked at Vinay and said, ‘He is also not a Muslim.’ Then he fired at Vinay. I screamed, I questioned him, but he simply told me to leave and walked away.”
She added that it took nearly an hour for police or any help to reach the spot, by which time Vinay had been rushed to a local hospital and later moved to Srinagar. “I only wish there had been a helicopter at that time, more security. Now, I just want Vinay to receive the highest honours in the country,” she said.
A Legacy of Service
Vinay’s sister, Srishti Narwal, said the blood donation camp was organized not just to honour Vinay’s birthday, but to carry forward his ideology. “We are grateful to everyone who came forward. People from across Karnal and even outside the city joined us. Their participation shows that Vinay’s spirit lives on.”
When asked if she would continue to serve the country in some capacity, Himanshi affirmed her commitment to her husband’s path.
A Call for Justice, Not Hate
While grief remains raw for the family, Himanshi has made it clear that hate is not the answer. “What happened to us should not happen to anyone. We want justice for the innocents killed, but not at the cost of creating more hatred. Let’s not divide the country. Let’s stand for what Vinay stood for — courage, service, and peace.”
