Neeraj Chopra Breaks Silence On Inviting Arshad Nadeem Amid Pahalgam Attack, 'I Am Hurt And Angry..'

The double Olympic medallist and star javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra was organising the NC Classic when the backlash left him feeling hurt. The player had invited his Olympic opponent, Pakistani player, Arshad Nadeem, to the event, which led to the netizens criticising his actions amid the Pahalgam terror attack. 

Neeraj Chopra reacts to the backlash over his invitation to Arshad Nadeem

Neeraj Chopra took to his social media account and shared a long note, expressing his hurt and anger over his integrity being questioned for inviting a sportsperson from across the border just before the Pahalgam attack. Neeraj revealed that the hate and abuse had not even spared his family. Thus, he decided to break his silence in response to the invitation sent for the maiden Neeraj Chopra Classic, to be held in Bengaluru on May 24, 2025. 

In the lengthy note shared on his social media, Neeraj stated that while he is a man of few words, that doesn't mean he won't speak up against what he thinks is wrong. He added that he was more prone to do so when his love for his country and his family's respect and honour were in question. He addressed the invitation sent to Arshad Nadeem for the NC Classic, stating that it was an invitation from one athlete to another. He was quoted as:

"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. 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 Chopra revealed that Arshad Nadeem's presence at the NC Classic was out of question after the attack in Pahalgam

In the same post, Neeraj Chopra further wrote that, following the events in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, Arshad Nadeem's presence during the NC Classic was completely out of the question. He added that for him, his country and its interests will always come first. He shared that he was angry and hurt by what had happened in Pahalgam and is confident that the country will serve justice. He was quoted as saying:

"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 demonstrate our nation's strength and justice will be served."

Neeraj Chopra is hurt by the question about his integrity 

Further, in the note, Neeraj revealed that he had carried the country with pride for years, and it hurts his integrity to be questioned. He added that it pains him to explain to people who have targeted him and his family for no good reason. He further shared that they are simple people and don't want to be made into anything else. The post could be read as saying:

"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. 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 declined the invite to NC Classic

Arshad Nadeem has declined the invite to Neeraj Chopra's NC Classic. He cited that the NC Classic event is being held from May 24, 2025, whereas he has been scheduled to leave for Korea on May 22, 2025. For the unversed, Arshad will be participating in the Asian Athletics Championship.  

What are your thoughts on Neeraj Chopra's revelations?

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