Congress President Critiques Change of Indian Hockey Jersey Color

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has raised concerns over the recent decision to change the Indian hockey team's jersey color from blue to orange. He argues that this move is not just a sports decision but one that affects the sentiments of millions of Indians and the country's sporting legacy. Kharge calls for a review of the decision, emphasizing the importance of transparency and public sentiment in such matters. Meanwhile, Hockey India defends the change, stating it was based on feedback from players regarding visibility on the field. This development has sparked a significant debate in both political and sporting circles.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 1, 2026, 20:43 IST

Concerns Over Jersey Color Change

On Saturday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his disapproval regarding the alteration of the Indian hockey team's traditional blue jersey to orange. He emphasized that this decision transcends mere sports; it resonates with the emotions of countless Indians and reflects the nation's sporting heritage. In a post shared on X, Kharge stated, "The alteration of the Indian hockey team's jersey color is not just a sports-related decision, but one that is deeply intertwined with the sentiments of millions of Indians and our sporting traditions. The Indian players have long been recognized globally as 'Men in Blue,' 'The Blues,' and 'The Blue Tigers.' This identity goes beyond the jersey color; it embodies a legacy in Indian sports. It is perplexing to understand the rationale behind changing this historic identity. The issue at hand is not solely about color, but rather about decision-making processes, transparency, and respect for public sentiment."

Ideological Influence on National Symbols

Kharge further remarked, "The colors saffron, white, and green are integral to our tricolor and hold a significant place in the Indian National Congress flag. It is unfortunate that those whose ideological backgrounds contributed little to the freedom struggle are now eager to imprint their ideology on every national symbol and public institution. History reveals that the RSS opposed the tricolor, and Sardar Patel had cautioned against them. This ideological influence is evident in various aspects, from road pavements to the attire of Parliament employees, the Doordarshan logo, and now the jerseys of our players—without broad public consensus."

Call for Review of the Decision

Kharge urged for a reassessment of this decision, stating, "National symbols, sports, and athletes should not be utilized as tools for narrow political agendas. The government and relevant authorities must promptly reconsider this decision and clarify how such a significant choice was made without the knowledge and consent of Hockey India's Executive Board."

Hockey India Responds

These comments follow Hockey India's recent announcement of new orange primary jerseys for both the senior men's and women's national teams, ahead of the FIH Men's and Women's Hockey World Cups set to commence on August 14 and 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium. This jersey change has sparked a political and sporting debate, with many questioning the shift from the traditional blue identity of the Indian hockey team.

Hockey India President Dilip Kumar Tirkey previously stated that the change was made based on feedback from players, coaches, and support staff, who believed that the blue kit hindered visibility on the blue hockey turf. He explained that orange was selected over yellow as it is also one of the colors of the Indian national flag, and added that the federation is open to reevaluating this choice after the tournament based on player feedback.