The Congress party has strongly criticised the decision to change the Indian hockey team's traditional blue jersey to saffron, alleging it's a 'narrow-minded political experiment' and demanding an immediate reconsideration from the government.
Key Points
- The Congress party has questioned the change of the Indian hockey team's jersey colour to saffron, calling it a 'narrow-minded political experiment'.
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the decision is deeply connected to the sentiments of millions of Indians and sporting traditions.
- Kharge criticised the government for changing colours in various national symbols and institutions without broad public consensus.
- Hockey India stated the saffron jersey symbolises courage, sacrifice, and victory, and was finalised after consultations with players and staff.
The Congress on Saturday questioned the change of the Indian hockey team's jersey colour, saying sports and players should not be made a medium for narrow-minded political experiments, and demanded the government reconsider its decision.
In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said this is a matter deeply connected to the sentiments of millions of Indians and our sporting traditions.
Political Experiment Allegations
The Indian hockey teams, traditionally attired in blue, will be donning saffron kits during the World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium, starting on August 15. The change in the uniform's colour was announced on July 27.
"The decision to change the colour of the Indian hockey team's jersey is not merely a sports-related choice, but a matter deeply connected to the sentiments of millions of Indians and our sporting traditions.
"Indian players have long been recognized around the world by names like 'Men in Blue', 'The Blues', and 'The Blue Tigers'. This identity is not just about the colour of the jersey, but a legacy of Indian sports. Today, it is difficult to understand why the need was felt to alter this historic identity. The question is not about any particular colour, but about the process of decision-making, transparency, and respect for public sentiments," Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X.
Government's Decision-Making Questioned
He said this government has changed the colour - sometimes on road pavements, sometimes in the attire of Parliament employees, sometimes on the Doordarshan logo, and now in players' jerseys - without broad public consensus.
"National symbols, sports, and players should not be made a medium for narrow-minded political experiments. The government and relevant institutions should immediately reconsider this decision and clarify how such an important decision was taken without the knowledge and consent of Hockey India's Executive Board," Kharge also said.
Hockey India's Stance
He said saffron, white, and green are all three colours in our tricolor, and they also hold an honourable place in the flag of the Indian National Congress.
"It is unfortunate that those whose ideological tradition made no contribution to the freedom movement are now seen in a haste to leave their ideological imprint on every national symbol and every public institution. History knows that the RSS had staunchly opposed the tricolor, and Sardar Patel had even warned them," the Congress chief said.
Unveiling the new jersey on its social media pages, Hockey India had said the design and colour of the jersey is meant to "tell a story" and carry "India's pride" and was finalised after consultations with players and support staff. HI said saffron symbolises courage, sacrifice and victory.
