In the wake of Tuesday’s Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 people dead and numerous others injured, two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has expressed his distress after being asked about his patriotism for inviting Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem to compete in the Neeraj Chopra Classic.

Neeraj said that he and his family had received criticism for inviting Arshad to the May 24 one-day event at Bengaluru’s Sri Kanteerva Stadium. The Indian athlete stated, however, that the invitation was made before to the assault and was just given because Arshad was the current Olympic gold champion and he wanted to invite the top talent in the nation. He said that Arshad’s involvement was “completely out of the question” after the sad event.

“I tend to be a quiet guy, but that doesn’t mean I won’t voice my opinions when I believe they are incorrect. Particularly when it comes to doubting my love for my nation and my family’s honor and respect. My choice to allow Arshad Nadeem to participate in the Neeraj Chopra Classic has generated a lot of discussion, the most of which has been hateful and derogatory. My family hasn’t even been excluded. I invited Arshad, and it was just an athlete to athlete, nothing more, nothing less. Bringing the top athletes to India and making our nation the host of elite athletic events were the goals of the NC Classic. Two days before to the terrorist strikes in Pahalgam, on Monday, invitations were sent to all athletes, Neeraj stated in a social media statement.

“After all that has taken place over the last 48 hours, Arshad’s presence at the NC Classic was completely out of the question,” he said.

The silver medalist javelin thrower from the Paris Olympics sent his sympathies to the families of those killed in the assault in the valley, which was supported by Pakistan.

“I will always put my nation and its interests first. My sympathies and thoughts are with those who are experiencing the loss of their people. I am saddened and upset at what has happened, as is the whole country.

Justice will be done, and I have no doubt that our nation’s reaction will demonstrate our unity,” he said.

Neeraj said that he has proudly worn the tricolor throughout the years and that it pains him to hear all of the “false narratives” in a direct message to those who question his patriotism.

“It stings to see my integrity being questioned since I have proudly represented my nation for so long. The fact that I have to defend myself to those who are unfairly attacking my family and myself hurts me. Please don’t portray ourselves as anything more than basic folks. Certain media outlets have spread a lot of untrue stories about me, but just because I don’t speak out doesn’t mean that they are accurate,” he stated.

The 27-year-old recollected the moment when his mother widely praised Arshad for winning the gold medal at the Olympics in Paris and said that he was also her son.

“I also have trouble understanding how individuals change their minds. A year ago, when my mother, in her innocence, made an innocent remark, her opinions were praised in spades. The same individuals haven’t refrained from attacking her for making the same claim today. Neeraj said, “forth the meanwhile, I will put forth even more effort to make sure that the world remembers India and views it with respect and envy for all the right reasons.