India’s Olympic Gold medalist Neeraj Chopra was most recently in the news when he shared a video message urging desis not to troll his competitor, Pakistan javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem. Chopra asked people not to misconstrue his words and in a true example of sportsmanship spirit said, “Sports teaches us to be together and united.”
Following Chopra’s stance on the incident, a lot of people lauded the Olympian’s sportsmanship spirit, including wrestler Bajrang Punia who won the bronze medal at Tokyo Olympics on the same day that Chopra bagged gold.
An issue is being made over Neeraj Chopra (regarding Arshad Nadeem). Athletes are athletes regardless of their nationality. We're opponents on ground but brothers outside it. Sports don't teach us to harbour malice. It teaches us to unite & not be divided: Wrestler Bajrang Punia pic.twitter.com/dxdFMdGy6E
— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2021
However, Javed Akhtar shared a tweet where he lauded Indian sportspersons and said he wished more people had the class and sporting spirit that they possessed.
I wish some people in our country had the class , decency IQ and the sporting spirit of our sportsmen like Neeraj Chopra and Bajrang Punia .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) August 28, 2021
Well, his tweet seems to have rubbed some the wrong way. Here’s what they had to say-
Mr. @Javedakhtarjadu!
As in our hand all fingers are not same, every citizen is not same!
Everyone excel in their own work!You should not insult the citizens of India.
Entire Nation is proud of @Neeraj_chopra1 & @BajrangPunia, but I'm sure they too won't like your statement.
— SHAILEE MALIWAL 🇮🇳 (@ShaileeMaliwal) August 28, 2021
The difference is sports Javed ji. It’s a competitive engagement where you are aware of representing your country and doing your best with due respect to the opponent’s skills and his/her values.
— Partho Chakravarty (@ComPartho) August 28, 2021
That clearly means you don't have class or decency or IQ and even people from your industry also don't have them. You gave example from sports.
— Guruprasad Shenoy 🇮🇳 (@guruji_prasad) August 28, 2021
The fastest route is not always a straight line. pic.twitter.com/LukdBQyw5m
— Susanta Das (@Susanta52294337) August 28, 2021
Sir we also wish the above for you & mam…
— Tripti tiwari (@TriptiRTiwari) August 28, 2021
Before wishing for others, you should start from your home. Otherwise, it's shallow preaching.
— Agnostic_Exploring (@aimingforlight) August 28, 2021
U are looking for qualities in others that u lack in self ….. how strange….
Kitnaa Aasaan Hai Tasveer Banaana Auron Ki….
Khuud ko Pasay Aainaa rakhnaa kitna Mushkil hai….
— ranjan kumar datta (@ranjancares) August 28, 2021
Javed Ji – koi baat nahi. Aapke Farhan me ye sab nahi hai to kya hua- isme aap ka koi dosh nahi. 🤷🏽♀️
— Savitri Mumukshu – सावित्री मुमुक्षु (@MumukshuSavitri) August 28, 2021
“Class” is a mentality, not a status. People act classy, they’re not born class.
— Svanik Surve (@SurveSvanik) August 28, 2021
What do you think of this incident?