Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has expressed his anguish after being questioned about his patriotism for inviting Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem to the Neeraj Chopra Classic, following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that claimed 26 lives and left several others injured on Tuesday.
Neeraj said he and his family have faced backlash for inviting Arshad to the one-day event at the Sri Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on May 24. However, the Indian athlete clarified that the invitation had been sent before the attack and was purely based on Arshad being the reigning Olympic gold medallist, as he wanted to bring the world’s best talent to the country. He stated that after the tragic incident, Arshad's participation was "completely out of the question."
"I am usually a man of few words, but that doesn't mean I will not speak up against what I believe is wrong—especially 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 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 a hub for world-class sporting events. Invites were sent to all athletes on Monday, two days before the terrorist attacks at Pahalgam," Neeraj wrote in a statement on social media.
"After all that has happened over the last 48 hours, Arshad's presence at the NC Classic was completely out of the question," he added.
The Paris Olympics silver medallist javelin thrower also extended his condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the Pakistan-sponsored attack.
"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. I am confident that our country’s response will reflect our strength as a nation and that justice will be served," he added.
In a clear message to those questioning his patriotism, Neeraj said he has carried the tricolour with pride for years, and it pains him to hear "false narratives."
"I have carried my country with pride for many years, and it hurts to see my integrity being questioned. It pains me that I have to explain myself to people targeting me and my family for no reason. We are simple people; please don’t make us out to be anything else. There are many false narratives being pushed by certain sections of the media, but just because I don’t speak up often doesn’t make them true," he said.
The 27-year-old also recalled the incident when his mother praised Arshad for winning gold at the Paris Olympics, calling him "also her son," a remark that once earned widespread praise.
"I also find it difficult to understand how people change their opinions. When my mother—in her simplicity—made an innocent comment a year ago, it was met with an outpouring of praise. Today, the same people are 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," Neeraj concluded.