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A dispute over the Indian men's hockey team's new saffron kit has ignited a political clash, with Congress accusing the government of using sport for ideological gain and Hockey India insisting the colour change celebrates courage and victory.
Former India hockey captain Pargat Singh has openly denounced the recent alteration of the national team’s kit from its traditional blue to a saffron hue, describing the move as part of a broader ‘saffronisation’ push that he says is driven by political considerations. He argues that the government’s energy would be better spent on concrete improvements — upgrading training facilities, expanding grassroots programs, and ensuring that athletes have the resources they need — rather than on symbolic changes that risk politicising sport. His criticism joins a growing chorus of dissent; former captain Viren Rasquinha and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have also voiced unease, suggesting that the decision reflects a narrow mindset that threatens the spirit of Indian sport. Singh insists that sport’s power lies in its ability to bring people together, to foster brotherhood and mutual respect, and warns that dragging political agendas onto the field undermines those very ideals. The debate underscores a larger conversation about how Indian institutions balance national identity, political narratives, and the development of athletic talent, a tension that will likely continue as the country navigates its sporting ambitions.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and former captain Viren Rasquinha question the shift from blue to saffron, framing it as an attempt to rewrite national history.