When Neeraj Chopra, India’s golden javelin star, invited Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem to the Neeraj Chopra Classic, he envisioned a celebration of athletic excellence. Instead, he found himself in the eye of a storm, facing criticism that questioned his patriotism and even targeted his family. The backdrop? A devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that claimed 26 lives. On April 25, 2025, Chopra broke his silence with a powerful statement, defending his sportsmanship, reaffirming his love for India, and calling for unity in a time of grief. This is the story of a champion who rose above hate, proving that sports can bridge divides—even when the world feels fractured.
1. A Dream Born on the Field
Neeraj Chopra, the two-time Olympic medalist (Tokyo 2020 gold, Paris 2024 silver), is no stranger to breaking barriers. His rivalry with Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan’s Olympic champion, is one of sports’ most heartwarming tales—marked by mutual respect and camaraderie. Their bond shone in Paris when Nadeem’s record-breaking 92.97-meter throw clinched gold, and Chopra, with silver, clapped for his friend. “Arshad is a great athlete and a good human,” Chopra said then, a sentiment echoed by his mother, Saroj Devi, who called Nadeem “like a son.”
Fast forward to April 2025, and Chopra was gearing up for his boldest venture yet: the Neeraj Chopra Classic, a Category A World Athletics event set for May 24 in Bengaluru’s Kanteerava Stadium. As co-organizer, he invited the world’s elite javelin throwers—Grenada’s Anderson Peters, Germany’s Thomas Röhler, Kenya’s Julius Yego, and, yes, Nadeem. The goal? To put India on the global athletics map and inspire a new generation. “I wanted to create something special for my country,” Chopra shared on X, his voice brimming with pride.
2. A Nation in Mourning
The invitations, sent on April 20, were a gesture of sportsmanship. But two days later, tragedy struck. On April 22, a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, claimed by The Resistance Front (a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot), killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in one of the deadliest assaults in Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama attack. India mourned, and tensions with Pakistan soared. The government suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, closed the Wagah-Attari border, and condemned Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar for calling the attackers “freedom fighters.”
In this charged climate, Chopra’s invitation to Nadeem sparked outrage. Social media lit up with accusations of insensitivity, with some targeting Saroj Devi’s earlier comments about Nadeem. “They’ve abused my family, twisted my intentions,” Chopra wrote, his pain palpable. “My country and its interests will always come first.”
3. Setting the Record Straight
In a heartfelt X post on April 25, Chopra clarified the timeline: the invitations preceded the attack. “Invites went out on Monday, two days before the tragedy,” he explained. Event organizers confirmed this, noting Nadeem’s participation was “out of the question” post-attack. Nadeem himself declined, citing a scheduling conflict with his training for the Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea (May 27-31). “I respect Neeraj’s invite, but I’m committed to Korea,” he told PTI, steering clear of the controversy.
As a Subedar Major in the Indian Army, Chopra felt the attack’s weight deeply. “I’m hurt and angry, like every Indian,” he said, offering condolences to the victims’ families. “I trust our nation’s response will show our strength, and justice will prevail.” His words were a balm for a grieving nation, but they also highlighted the tightrope athletes walk when sports collide with geopolitics.
4. The Burden of Being Neeraj
Chopra’s ordeal underscores the pressure on public figures in India, where sports stars are often held to impossible standards. His mother’s warmth toward Nadeem, once celebrated, was weaponized by critics. “People praised her then, but now they attack her,” Chopra noted, calling out the hypocrisy. The Neeraj Chopra Classic, meant to be a milestone, was overshadowed by a narrative of division.
Yet, the event itself is a testament to Chopra’s vision. Originally planned for Panchkula, Haryana, it moved to Bengaluru due to lighting issues at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium. With confirmed stars like Peters, Röhler, Yego, and American Curtis Thompson, it promises to be a spectacle. “This is about showing the world what India can do,” said a World Athletics official, echoing Chopra’s dream.
5. Voices of Support and Dissent
The controversy sparked a polarized debate. Fans flooded X with support. “Neeraj has done more for India than his critics ever will,” one user wrote. “Sports isn’t politics—let’s celebrate his heart.” Others felt the timing was off. “He should’ve waited, given the attack,” another commented. Former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria weighed in, slamming Dar’s remarks as “proof of state-sponsored terrorism,” while the BCCI reiterated its ban on bilateral cricket with Pakistan.
Through the noise, Chopra’s message was clear: don’t let hate win. “We’re simple people—don’t twist our story,” he pleaded, addressing “false narratives” in the media. His call for empathy resonated, reminding us that athletes, too, are human.
6. A Legacy Beyond the Javelin
Chopra’s response wasn’t just a defense—it was a rallying cry. “I’ll work harder to make India proud,” he vowed, signing off with “Jai Hind.” It’s a promise he’s kept before—through Olympic glory, world championship medals, and now, this bold event. The Neeraj Chopra Classic isn’t just a competition; it’s a beacon of hope, a chance to heal through sport.
As May 24 approaches, let’s shift the focus to what matters: a young man from Haryana who dared to dream big, who loves his country fiercely, and who believes sports can unite us. In a world quick to divide, Neeraj Chopra reminds us to choose heart over hate