Priyanka Gandhi Backs Debate Over India Hockey Jersey, Says Youth Will Decide Nation’s Future

New Delhi, July 2026 : Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday weighed in on the controversy surrounding the Indian hockey team’s newly unveiled orange jersey, saying that changing uniforms or attempting to alter historical narratives would not change the fundamental values held by the country’s youth.

Her remarks came after former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha criticised Hockey India’s decision to replace the team’s traditional blue jersey with a predominantly orange kit for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Priyanka Gandhi said the younger generation had already made its position clear on issues concerning the country.

“Whether they change the uniform or try to rewrite history through the education policy, no matter what they do, the youth of this country have made their views clear,” she said, referring to recent youth gatherings at Jantar Mantar. She added that the voices raised by young people represented what she described as the broader voice of the nation.

Priyanka Gandhi then linked the discussion to India’s freedom struggle, asserting that the country’s independence movement was built around the principles of non-violence and truth.

She alleged that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had played no role in the freedom movement and said the Congress, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, had led the struggle for independence. According to her, the country’s fundamental identity continues to be rooted in non-violence, truth, brotherhood and unity.

The Congress leader further asserted that these values could not be erased through political or ideological efforts.

“No one can remove it,” she said, adding that regardless of attempts to create divisions, promote violence or spread hatred, the country’s underlying spirit would remain one of brotherhood and unity.

Her comments came amid a growing debate over the new Indian hockey jersey, which was officially unveiled by Hockey India ahead of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.

Rasquinha, who captained India and represented the country at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2006 Men’s Hockey World Cup, expressed strong disappointment over the change. While acknowledging the contribution of Hockey India towards developing the sport, he questioned the decision to move away from the traditional blue colour.

The former midfielder said the blue jersey had become an inseparable part of the identity of Indian hockey and recalled wearing it with pride during his international career.

He also highlighted the emotional association fans have developed with the traditional colours of the national team, questioning why orange had been selected as the dominant colour for the new kit.

Rasquinha’s criticism followed Hockey India’s detailed presentation of the new jersey, in which the federation explained the symbolism behind its various design elements.

According to Hockey India, the prominent saffron colour represents courage, sacrifice and victory and draws inspiration from the Indian national flag as well as the rising sun, symbolising new beginnings. The design also incorporates mandala-inspired patterns intended to celebrate India’s cultural heritage.

The jersey features deep navy blue accents inspired by the Ashoka Chakra, which Hockey India said represent progress, peace and focus. A modern interpretation of the Sudarshan Chakra appears on the chest and is intended to symbolise strength, unity and momentum.

The kit also includes Tricolour piping along the shoulders and sides, while the word “India” is displayed in stylised Devanagari script. Hockey India’s design also carries branding acknowledging Odisha’s long-standing association and support for Indian hockey.

The federation has said the overall design seeks to combine India’s sporting ambitions with its cultural heritage and embodies the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.”

The controversy has therefore developed into a wider discussion about sporting identity, tradition and symbolism. While Rasquinha’s comments reflect concerns among some former players and supporters about moving away from the familiar blue, Hockey India’s explanation presents the new colours as an expression of national values and cultural symbolism.

The Indian men’s and women’s teams will take the new kits into the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, where both sides will look to make a strong impression on the international stage. As the debate continues, the performances of the teams on the field are likely to remain the ultimate measure of whether the new design becomes accepted as part of India’s evolving hockey identity.