Archive · 10 Aug 2026
T.M. Krishna questions symbolism behind hockey team's new saffron kits
A famous Indian singer and writer named T.M. Krishna talked about the Indian hockey team's new shirts.
The team used to wear blue shirts, but now they will wear saffron-coloured ones.
Krishna said blue is a very important colour for many people in India.
He explained that blue reminds people of fighting against unfair treatment long ago.
He said taking away the blue could make some groups of people feel left out.
The new shirts will be worn at the Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The World Cup starts on August 15.
The people in charge of hockey say the saffron colour is easier to see on the playing field.
They also say saffron is an important colour for the country.
Some people agree with the change, while others are upset about it.
T.M. Krishna said removing blue from the Indian hockey team's shirt 'projects Hindu supremacy' and alienates marginalised sections of society.
He spoke at a 'We the People' session at the Alipore Jail Museum in Calcutta, hosted by Asia Society India and Experimenter art gallery.
Krishna argued blue represents a history of resistance, citing the Indigo Revolt, Gandhi's Champaran satyagraha and Ambedkar's adoption of the colour.
The Indian hockey teams will wear saffron kits during the World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium starting August 15.
Hockey India cited technical visibility issues on blue turf and the national significance of saffron, while former players, administrators and Opposition leaders condemned the move.
- Who
- T.M. Krishna (Thodur Madabusi Krishna), an award-winning Carnatic vocalist and public intellectual, in conversation with Calcutta-based lawyer and music writer Arunabha Deb.
- What
- Krishna questioned the symbolism behind the Indian hockey team's switch from blue to saffron kits, saying the change projects Hindu supremacy and erases marginalised sections of society.
- When
- The session was held on Sunday; the hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium starts August 15.
- Where
- Alipore Jail Museum in Calcutta, at a session hosted by Asia Society India and Experimenter art gallery.
- Why
- Because blue represents a history of resistance and marginalised communities, and its removal from the national team's kit has sparked a major political controversy.
Critics of the saffron kits
Hockey India's justification
Meaning of the colour change
Critics of the saffron kits
Removing blue projects Hindu supremacy and erases marginalised sections of society, since blue represents resistance and all marginalisations, including Dalits and queer people.
Hockey India's justification
Saffron reflects the national significance of the colour, and the change is framed as patriotic rather than political.
Reason for the change
Critics of the saffron kits
Krishna said 'in our urge to target the Muslim, we are erasing the marginalised Dalits of this country by erasing the blue.'
Hockey India's justification
Hockey India cited technical visibility issues on blue turf as the reason for the kit change.
Reaction to the move
Critics of the saffron kits
The move sparked a major political controversy, with former players, sports administrators and Opposition leaders condemning it.
Hockey India's justification
Hockey India maintains the change was driven by practical needs and the national significance of saffron.
- Speaker
- T.M. Krishna, award-winning Carnatic vocalist and public intellectual
- Session
- "We the People" at Alipore Jail Museum, Calcutta
- Hosts
- Asia Society India and Experimenter art gallery
- Team
- Indian hockey team (traditionally attired in blue)
- New kit colour
- Saffron
- Tournament
- Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium
- Start date
- August 15
- Hockey India's cited reasons
- Technical visibility issues on blue turf and the national significance of saffron