Chopra pointed out that the invitations were sent on Monday — two days before the April 25 terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
"They haven't even spared my family": Neeraj Chopra Breaks Silence on Backlash Over Invitation to Pakistani Athlete
New Delhi, April 25: Indian Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra on Friday broke his silence regarding the backlash he faced for inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to compete in the Neeraj Chopra Classic. The invitation was sent two days before the Pahalgam terror attack, the athlete said.
In a post on his Instagram handle, Chopra wrote,“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.”
Addressing the criticism and abuse directed at him and his family, Chopra clarified that the invitation extended to Arshad Nadeem was purely from “one athlete to another – nothing more, nothing less.”
“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 spared my family. 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 make our country the home of world-class sporting events.”
Chopra pointed out that the invitations were sent on Monday — two days before the April 25 terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
“After all that has taken place over the last 48 hours, Arshad’s presence at the NC Classic was completely out of the question.”
Emphasizing his patriotism, he stated,“My country and its interests will always come first. To those who are grieving the loss of their loved ones, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Like the rest of the nation, I am both hurt and angry at what has happened.”
Chopra also addressed how deeply it affected him to see his integrity being questioned,
“I have carried India 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 without any reason.”
Taking a swipe at certain media sections, he added ,“We are simple people. Please don't make us out to be anything else. Just because I don’t speak often doesn’t mean the false narratives created around me are true.”
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, during the men’s javelin final, Arshad Nadeem won gold with a throw of 92.97 meters, while Chopra secured silver with 89.45 meters. The moment was marked by mutual respect and sportsmanship.
In a widely shared quote after the event, Neeraj’s mother, Saroj Devi, said, “We are very happy with the silver. The one who got the gold [Arshad Nadeem] is also our child.”
Arshad responded to her words with warmth, “A mother is a mother for everyone, so she prays for everyone too. I’m grateful to Neeraj Chopra’s mother. She’s my mother too.”
Referring to that moment in his statement, Chopra said, “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.”
He concluded with a reaffirmation of his mission,“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.”
Chopra isn’t the only one facing hostility. Muslims from Kashmir, including students, professionals, and workers living in other parts of India, are reportedly going through a tough time. Many have had to flee their places of residence for safety. Videos and images have emerged showing assaults on Muslims by Hindu extremist groups, sparking concerns over rising communal tension.
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