No one can change India's soul: Priyanka attacks BJP over saffron hockey jerseys
No one can change India's soul: Priyanka attacks BJP over saffron hockey jerseys
M.U.H
30/07/202613
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday criticised the BJP and the RSS while responding to questions on the Indian men's and women's hockey teams wearing saffron jerseys instead of their traditional blue kits at next month's FIH World Cup. She said no one could change the country's core values of truth, non-violence, brotherhood and unity.
Speaking in the Parliament House complex, Gandhi said that even if uniforms or history were sought to be changed, the mood of the country's youth showed what people thought. She also said the freedom struggle was rooted in truth and non-violence, and said the RSS had no role in it.
Asked about the jersey issue, the Congress general secretary said, "They may change the uniform, they may try to change the history through the education policy, they can do whatever they want, but you have seen what the youth think about this."
Referring to the gathering at Jantar Mantar, she said, "The youth that had gathered at Jantar Mantar, what were they saying about this? That is the voice of the country."
Gandhi said the fight for the country's freedom was based on truth and non-violence and that the RSS was nowhere in the picture. She said the entire country knew the truth, and those who did not know were getting to know the intentions of the BJP-RSS.
She also said the Congress, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, had carried out the freedom movement.
"The soul of this country is imbued with truth, non-violence, brotherhood and no one can change that," Gandhi said, adding that neither the RSS nor anyone else could do so.
She said, "No matter how much violence, hate and division they may spread, the soul of the country that has brotherhood, mutual harmony and unity cannot be changed."
The Indian men's and women's hockey teams will wear saffron jerseys instead of blue at next month's FIH World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Unveiling the new jersey on social media, Hockey India said the design and colour were meant to "tell a story" and carry "India's pride", and that saffron symbolised courage, sacrifice and victory.
Former India captain Viren Rasquinha questioned the move, writing on X, "I must say that Hockey India has done many good things for... But this is embarrassing. The legacy and identity of the Indian team has always been BLUE. I wore the Blue jersey with pride for many years. Fans want to see our Indian team in blue. What is the logic of orange?"
He added, "My simple & humble point is on pride, identity & legacy." The national federation, however, defended the decision, saying there was nothing wrong in choosing saffron as it is a part of the tricolour.
The exchange brought together Gandhi's criticism of the BJP-RSS and the wider debate over the hockey teams' new kit, with her insisting that while symbols may be changed, the country's values and sense of unity cannot be altered.
