Where’s Nationalism Now? Furious fans recall Neeraj Chopra-Arshad Nadeem controversy amid reports of India-Pakistan Asia Cup clash

Indian fans criticised the BCCI amid reports of the India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 clash.

India and Pakistan are expected to be in the same group in the Asia Cup 2025. This means that there will probably be more than one match between the arch-rivals. This news made Indian fans furious.

Some fans remembered the time when two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra was criticised for inviting Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem to India’s first international javelin throw competition.

“Where’s the nationalism now?” a fan named Rohan asked on X (formerly Twitter), recalling the time when India’s golden boy, Neeraj Chopra, had to issue a clarification about his love for the nation during the launch of the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025.

“Neeraj Chopra had to post an apology just because Arshad Nadeem was participating in the event. At that time, people raised questions on his patriotism. Funny how they’ve all gone quiet now. Selective outrage at its finest,” the tweet read.

Due to rising border tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, India had announced a boycott of all sporting ties with the neighboring country in April 2025.

However, Neeraj Chopra, in whose name India’s first-ever World Athletics Gold-level meet was held in Bengaluru, faced a wave of online and offline criticism for inviting the Pakistan Javelin thrower. The backlash extended beyond just him, even involving his family.

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Chopra later clarified that the invitations had been sent to all the top javelin throwers in the world two days before the Pahalgam attack occurred. The event’s goal was to unite the world’s best javelin throwers on Indian soil. Arshad Nadeem, who had set a record with a 92.97m throw at Paris 2024, was also invited to promote athletics.

Still, the backlash got personal, questioning his patriotism. “It hurts to see my integrity being questioned. I’ve carried the Indian flag with pride for years. It pained me to have to explain myself, even more when my family was dragged into it,” Neeraj said in the public statement via his social media handles.

Now, as the Board of Cricket Council in India hasn’t yet commented on India’s participation in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 alongside Pakistan, some fans are revisiting the NC Classic controversy.

“I’m boycotting BCCI and all its products if India plays Pakistan,” one of the fans reacted to the news.

Meanwhile, Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem are set to meet again at the Silesia Diamond League 2025 in Poland on August 16. This will mark their first showdown since the Paris Olympics.

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