NEW DELHI: On Saturday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded clarity from the government and relevant authorities regarding the sudden change of the Indian men’s hockey team’s jersey color from blue to saffron, reportedly made without the approval of the Hockey India executive board. This shift has sparked significant political debate, given that blue has traditionally been the primary color for Indian sports teams.
The announcement regarding the jersey change was made on July 27, ahead of the World Cup set to take place in the Netherlands and Belgium, starting August 15.
Kharge expressed his concerns in a post on X, emphasizing that “national symbols, sports, and players should not be used as a medium for narrow-minded political experiments.” He urged the government and relevant institutions to promptly reconsider this decision, seeking clarity on how such an impactful choice was made without the knowledge and consent of Hockey India’s executive board.
He characterized this alteration as one deeply intertwined with the sentiments of millions of Indians and the rich sporting traditions of the country. “Indian players have long been recognized globally as ‘Men in Blue,’ ‘The Blues,’ and ‘The Blue Tigers.’ This identity transcends mere jersey color; it embodies a legacy of Indian sports. It is perplexing to understand the rationale behind altering this historic identity. The concern is not solely about a color change, but about decision-making processes, transparency, and respect for public sentiment,” Kharge remarked.
Furthermore, the seasoned politician noted the color schemes of both the national tricolor and the Congress flag, which consist of saffron, white, and green, adding another layer to the discussion.
Kharge accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological backbone of the ruling BJP, of being too eager to imprint its ideology on national symbols and public institutions. He alleged that the decision to change the jersey color bore their influence.
In defense of the move, Hockey India stated that the new jersey design and color aimed to “tell a story” and embody “India’s pride.” The federation clarified that the design was finalized after consulting players and support staff.
However, Hockey India president and former captain Dilip Tirkey expressed concern that the decision seemed to have been made and implemented without being brought before the executive board for discussion or his prior knowledge. “It is regrettable that those whose ideological tradition made no contributions to the freedom movement are now eager to imprint their ideology on every national symbol and institution. History indicates that the RSS had staunchly opposed the tricolor, and Sardar Patel had even cautioned them,” he stated, referencing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the country’s first home minister and a key figure in Congress history.
