Indian Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra has publicly addressed the backlash and online abuse he faced after inviting Pakistani rival Arshad Nadeem to the Neeraj Chopra Classic, which took place in Bengaluru on May 24, 2025. The invitation, sent before a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, led to criticism questioning Chopra's patriotism. Nadeem later declined due to a scheduling conflict. In his response, Chopra clarified that the invitation was purely a sporting gesture with no political intent and expressed hurt over the personal attacks on him and his family. He reaffirmed his commitment to India, stating that his country's interests would always come first.
"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," Chopra wrote in a post on social media.
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