India’s javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was about to celebrate sportsmanship by inviting Pakistan’s celebrated javelin thrower, Arshad Nadeem, to an event in India. However, destiny has different plans. A few days before the event, a tragedy struck—the terror incident in Pahalgam rocked the country, bringing with it a surge of anger.
Neeraj Chopra trolled for inviting Arshad Nadeem to India for the competition
According to reports, it is the deadliest terror attack to occur in India since the notorious Mumbai terror attack on 26/11. The attack quickly gained international attention, with world leaders expressing their sympathies to the victims and denouncing the culprits. Given the fact that it is a clear-cut targeted attack on non-Muslims on Muslim-majority Kashmiri soil, the anger took hatred’s place.
In the charged atmosphere, Neeraj’s gesture was suddenly seen by some not as sportsmanship, but as insensitivity. For the uninitiated, Neeraj Chopra recently invited Arshad Nadeem to take part in the Neeraj Chopra Classic, which will take place in Bengaluru on May 24, 2025. Due to this, many people hurled abuses at Neeraj Chopra and his family. Many also told him to go to Pakistan and questioned his mother for praising Arshad Nadeem.
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Neeraj Chopra expressed his thoughts on getting trolled
Expressing his anger over the amount of hate he received, Neeraj Chopra recently shared a long message on social media. In the message, he expressed how hurt he is after seeing how people are questioning his ethics for hosting a cross-border athlete shortly before the Pahalgam incident. He also disclosed that his family was not exempt from the hatred and harassment. In his message, Neeraj Chopra wrote,
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I usually am a man of few words, but that doesn’t mean I will not speak up against what I think is wrong. More so when it comes to questioning my love for our country, and the respect and honour of my family. There has been so much talk about my decision to invite Arshad Nadeem to compete in the Neeraj Chopra Classic, and most of it has been hate and abuse. They haven’t even left my family out of it.
He added,
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The invitation I extended to Arshad was from one athlete to another nothing more, nothing less. The aim of the NC Classic was to bring the best athletes to India and for our country to be the home of world-class sporting events. Invites had gone out to all athletes on Monday, two days before the terrorist attacks at Pahalgam.
Neeraj questioned people who questioned his love for his country
Neeraj added that his country always comes first for him. He said,
After all that has taken place over the last 48 hours, Arshad’s presence at the NC Classic was completely out of the question. My country and its interests will always come first. To those that are going through the loss of their people, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Along with the entire nation, I am both hurt and angry at what has taken place.I am confident that our country’s response will show our strength as a nation and justice will be served.
He went on to add,
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I have carried my country with pride for so many years now, and so it hurts to see my integrity being questioned. It pains me that I have to explain myself to people who are targeting me and my family, with no good reason. We are simple people, please don’t make us out to be anything else. There are so many false narratives that certain sections of the media have created around me, but just because I do not speak up, it doesn’t make it true.
Furthermore, Neeraj expressed shock over how people switch opinions and target her mother for her earlier comment on Arshad Nadeem. Concluding the article, he wrote,
I also find it difficult to understand how people switch opinions. When my mother in her simplicity – had made an innocent comment a year ago, there was an outpouring of praise for her views. Today, the same people haven’t held back from targeting her for that very same statement. I, meanwhile, will work even harder to ensure that the world remembers India and looks at it with envy and respect for all the right reasons.
Arshad Nadeem has turned down the NC Classic invitation
Neeraj Chopra, a well-known Indian athlete, recently attracted attention by announcing a global javelin throw competition. The NC Classic, also known as the Neeraj Chopra Classic, is a unique event that will take place on May 24 in Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Many elite athletes will take center stage at the event, including Curtis Thompson, Yulius Yego, Thomas Rohler, a former Olympic champion, and Anderson Peters. Neeraj Chopra earlier invited Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem to participate in the same competition. However, Arshad Nadeem has turned down an invitation as he was about to participate in the Asian Athletics Championship.
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He was supposed to depart for Korea on May 22, 2025; however, the NC Classic event is starting on May 24, 2025. That’s why he is unable to participate in the NC Classic.
What do you think about Neeraj Chopra getting hatred for inviting Arshad Nadeem? Do share your thoughts with us in the comment section of this article.
