Archive · 30 Jul 2026
Opposition Criticises Indian Hockey Jersey Saffron Switch
The Indian hockey teams used to wear blue jerseys.
The government decided to change them to saffron, a color linked to the ruling party and its religious group.
Opposition leaders in Parliament said this shows the government wants to spread saffron everywhere.
They worry it could affect other uniforms, like the army's.
Some leaders said the color is unimportant; performance matters more.
The debate shows how politics can touch sports and national symbols.
Opposition leaders in Parliament criticised the Indian government's decision to change the national hockey teams' jerseys to saffron.
Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Amar Singh, and Tariq Anwar argued the change reflects a BJP‑RSS push to impose saffron symbolism on all institutions.
Amar Singh warned that the jersey change could precede similar alterations to the Indian Army’s uniform.
TMC’s Kirti Azad said the color change is irrelevant; performance should matter, and the blue jersey should remain.
The controversy highlights concerns over political influence on sports and national symbols.
- Who
- Opposition leaders in Parliament, including Congress and TMC members
- What
- Criticised the Indian government's decision to change the national hockey teams' jerseys to saffron
- When
- Thursday
- Where
- New Delhi, Parliament
- Why
- They argue the change reflects a BJP‑RSS push to impose saffron symbolism on all institutions
- Event
- Hockey jersey color change controversy
- Government party
- BJP
- Opposition parties
- Congress, TMC
- Color changed to
- Saffron
- Original color
- Blue
- Location
- New Delhi
- Date of criticism
- Thursday