Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is trending on Twitter again, and here’s why. The Indian Air Force (IAF) WC has been conferred with India’s third most prestigious honor; the military ‘Gallantry Award’.
While Indians on Twitter are lauding the IAF fighter pilot on this landmark achievement, Pakistanis sparked a meme fest.
Congratulations #abhinandanvarthaman
Aapka #abhinandan pic.twitter.com/cwKUJh6F4P— Shailendra Pandey (@shailfilm) November 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/ZoyaAli96449374/status/1463044797220990979
The reason for this accolade? India’s claim to have shot down an American-made F-16 with the Russian Mig-21 that WC Abhinandan was flying during the Balakot incident. His plane was totaled as the pilot ejected from the warcraft after being hit. This then led to him being taken into custody by the Pakistan Army.
Ladies and gentlemen, presenting to you the F-16 #India claims was shot down by #AbhinandanVarthaman #AbhiNoneDoneAward pic.twitter.com/zASLWHAsjw
— SANA (@Sana___Tweets) November 23, 2021
However, Pakistani Twitter kicked off a meme fest as the trend picked up traction on Twitter.
Bravery of #AbhinandanVarthaman 🤣#AbhiNoneDoneAward pic.twitter.com/ymgn80nJTX
— SANA (@Sana___Tweets) November 23, 2021
How it started How it ended #AbhinandanVarthaman pic.twitter.com/ZquhhnbPrW
— 𝓢𝓱𝓪𝔃𝓲𝔂𝓪 (@ShazziyaM) November 22, 2021
There was no holding back as the WC was brutally trolled. People recalled details of how the WC was released back to India as a gesture of goodwill by Pakistan.
Two different picx with same energy😂#AbhinandanVarthaman done it better 😂😂🇧🇩🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/uwkRyH5n5K
— Khubab (@Khubab_Khitran) November 23, 2021
Netizens even brought up the details.
A third category award 🏅 is given to Abhinandan for his bravery but in this interview, on that day he didn't say that he shoots down F-16.
My question is if he is so brave enough then he should mention it and must be awarded 🏅 first-grade medal.#AbhinandanVarthaman pic.twitter.com/9UKVVgzxLM
— 𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 ⚔ (@lLovepakistan47) November 22, 2021
There were some hilarious references.
Le World to India:#AbhinandanVarthaman #AbhiNoneDoneAward pic.twitter.com/B8Oel1kn3e
— SANA (@Sana___Tweets) November 23, 2021
And witty comebacks.
I want to get PhD admission in such a University where they give #VirChakra award to failed student when he/she gets failure grades in all subjects😭😂#ISI_TheSurprise #AbhinandanVarthaman pic.twitter.com/f6sbkzYPwe
— Yasir (@RealYasir__Khan) November 22, 2021
Some comments were more brutal.
#AbhinandanVarthaman
You forgot to collect your scrap abhi pic.twitter.com/7VgwzBcTgh— M.KhanNiazi (@NiaziKM) November 23, 2021
So what part of this troll fest did you indulge in? The brutal comebacks, or the memes? Let us know in the comments below.