Who is Anjani Mishra, the retired Air Force officer who called out a troll for body-shaming her on social media

In today’s fast-paced digital world, social media often feels like a double-edged sword. On one hand, it connects us and lets us share stories that truly resonate.But at the same time, it can turn into a battleground where strangers hide behind screens and pass judgment - especially on women.

Body-shaming has become far too common, with trolls focusing on appearances instead of engaging with what’s actually being said.It’s frustrating when a heartfelt post about something personal gets derailed by comments about how someone looks or what they’re wearing. One such incident involved retired Air Force officer Anjani Mishra, whose post about family and struggle ended up drawing unnecessary criticism - until she chose to respond in a way that turned the situation around.

A retired Air Force officer and Instagram content creator, Anjani Mishra recently went viral after sharing a video about being body-shamed by another woman on the platform. The clip opens with the line: “In a world where women don’t support each other, we have women teaching modesty.”In the video, Mishra explains how a troll targeted her over a single open button in an otherwise emotional post about receiving homemade pickles from her mother every year.

Despite being dressed in simple, everyday clothes, the criticism quickly escalated into derogatory remarks when she responded."Then I told her, I had to tell her that a person of my caliber, a retired air force officer, doesn't need to sell herself on Instagram to become popular. I do not seek cheap popularity," Mishra stated in the video, before reporting the account for "harassment and bullying". The troll eventually deleted the comments and even went on to follow Mishra’s profile (@yourstruly_anjii).

Mishra later said she chose to share the incident publicly to highlight how often women face unnecessary judgment - sometimes from other women.

Social media reacts

People across social media quickly came out in support of Mishra, flooding her video with messages of solidarity while also calling out the toxicity that often shows up online.One user commented, “Anjali, I totally sympathise with what you said, but there’s also a flip side - some people haven’t dealt with their own triggers and end up judging others from behind a screen.

I try to see it as a learning experience. Kuch toh log kahenge… logon ka kaam hai kehna.”Another wrote, “I don’t understand why some women carry so much negativity towards others. I’m a big fan of yours - I feel people who do this are often unhappy themselves.”A third shared, “Honestly, if it wasn’t for this video, I wouldn’t have even noticed the open button. I was so focused on what you were saying - it was emotional and that’s all that stayed with me.”And another added, “Kudos to you for speaking up. Most people ignore such behaviour, but it’s important to call it out. Some people really can’t see women beyond their appearance.”The incident has once again sparked a larger conversation around online behaviour, body-shaming, and the need for more empathy - especially in spaces that are meant to connect us.