Deeply pained by events. Hate and abuse uncalled for’: Neeraj Chopra’s uncle on social media vitriol.
A few years ago, when Neeraj Chopra threw that golden javelin in Tokyo, the whole of India stood still. I remember it clearly. Everyone was either cheering, crying, or clapping. That throw didn’t just win a gold medal—it united the country in pride.
Neeraj became a hero overnight. A calm, soft-spoken young man from a small village in Haryana had done what no Indian had done before in athletics. He gave us hope, pride, and something to believe in.
But today, that same Neeraj is facing hate online.
And it hurts.
Not just for him, but for his family, for the people who watched him grow up, and for the millions who once proudly called him “our golden boy”.
What’s Happening?
It started with a simple post on social media. Neeraj shared a message about peace. It wasn’t political. It wasn’t directed at anyone. Just a calm, kind reminder that we should all be better, kinder, and more united as a country.
But the internet doesn’t always respond with kindness.
Some people began to twist his words. Some accused him of not speaking out more strongly. Some felt he was staying neutral when he should’ve taken a side. Others just started abusing him for no clear reason.
And the hate began to pile up in the comments.
His Uncle Breaks His Silence
Neeraj’s uncle, Satbir Singh, finally spoke out.
“We are deeply pained by these events. The kind of hate and abuse he is facing is completely uncalled for,” he said in a recent interview.
You could hear the sadness in his voice. This wasn’t just about criticism. This was personal. A young man who had given everything for his country was now being targeted with hate.
“He’s just a boy who trained every day, worked hard, and wanted to make India proud. That’s all he ever wanted.”
Neeraj Isn’t Someone Who Likes the Spotlight
If you’ve followed Neeraj for even a little while, you’d know this—he’s not someone who likes drama. He’s humble. Quiet. Focused. He trains hard. He doesn’t talk much. And he never chases controversy.
He’s never been loud about politics or religion. He doesn’t post clickbait. He doesn’t stir the pot. He’s always tried to keep his focus on sports and inspire kids to chase their dreams.
Why Is He Being Abused?
In India, we celebrate heroes quickly. But we also turn on them quickly.
We expect our athletes to win every time. We expect our actors to speak out. We expect celebrities to say the “right thing” at the “right time”.
And if they don’t, we pounce.
That’s what’s happening with Neeraj. He didn’t say what some people wanted him to say. And now, he’s facing hate because of it.
But here’s the thing—he never asked to be a spokesperson. He never claimed to be a leader in politics or religion. He just wanted to throw that javelin.
His Village Still Loves Him
Back in Khandra, the village where Neeraj grew up, people are still proud of him.
His old teachers still talk about how polite and focused he was. His friends remember how he used to wake up early, run for miles, and never give up, no matter how hot the sun was.
“He’s still the same boy,” one villager said. “He hasn’t changed. The country might be throwing words at him, but he hasn’t lost his roots.”
Fame Comes With a Cost
Neeraj never asked for the fame. He didn’t chase endorsements or media attention. After Tokyo, he just wanted to get back to training.
But once you’re famous, people expect things from you—opinions, reactions, tweets.
Even when you stay silent, people read into it.
It’s a heavy burden for someone who just wants to focus on sports.
Social Media Is Not Real Life
The loudest voices online aren’t always the wisest. A few angry comments can feel like the whole world is against you—but they’re not.
Most people still love and respect Neeraj.
They remember the pride they felt that day in Tokyo. They remember the goosebumps. The tears. The flag.
Neeraj doesn’t owe us anything more than that.
Messages of Support Are Pouring In
Thankfully, not everyone is being cruel.
Thousands of fans have started posting kind words. Messages of love. Hashtags like #StandWithNeeraj and #RespectNeerajChopra have started trending.
People are sharing old photos of him smiling with the tricolour. Clips of that gold-winning throw. Comments about how humble and hardworking he is.
The real India—the one that cheers, not tears down—is speaking up.
His Uncle’s Final Words
Satbir Singh, the man who has watched Neeraj grow from a skinny village boy into a national hero, said it best:
“He brought honour to this country. And now, people are abusing him for no reason. Let him live. Let him train. Let him be in peace. He is not against anyone. He respects all. He has done no wrong.”
We Must Do Better
We can’t keep breaking our heroes.
We cheer when they win. We post their pictures. We call them “India’s pride”. But the moment they don’t say what we want, we forget all that.
Neeraj is not a politician. He’s not a spokesperson. He’s an athlete. A dreamer. A symbol of hope.
Let’s not crush that.
Let’s remember why we loved him in the first place—and stand by him when he needs us most.
Because Neeraj Chopra gave India gold. What we owe him in return is simple: respect.
