Ex-Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Reacts After Hockey India Changes Jersey Colour to Saffron, Cites ‘BJP Pressure’

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday criticised Hockey India's decision to change the Indian hockey team's jersey colour from blue to saffron, alleging that the move was made under pressure from the BJP government in Odisha.

The new jerseys were unveiled ahead of the FIH Men's and Women's Hockey World Cups, which begin on August 14 and 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Reacting to the change, Patnaik said he was 'deeply anguished' by the decision, describing the iconic blue jersey as a symbol of India's sporting heritage and national pride.

'I am deeply anguished to know that the legendary colour of the Indian hockey team's jersey has been changed to saffron. The iconic shade of blue of the Indian hockey team is not just a colour. It is an emotion associated with the nation's sporting heritage,' he wrote in a post on X. Hockey India Reacts to Backlash Over New Saffron-Coloured National Team Jersey.

Naveen Patnaik Slams Hockey India Jersey Colour Change, Alleges 'BJP Pressure' Behind Saffron Kit

Patnaik said the blue jersey had united Indians through victories and defeats for decades and noted that both the men's and women's teams had achieved historic milestones while wearing it.

'Blue is derived from the blue chakra in our national flag. It is a symbol of our national pride and identity. The colour blue belongs to every Indian,' he added.

Highlighting Odisha's long association with Indian hockey, the former chief minister said the state stepped in as the national team's sponsor when the sport was struggling for support. He argued that a change in the state government should not result in a change to the national team's colours. Why Indian Hockey Team Jersey Changed to Orange from Blue?

'Just because the government changed in Odisha, it should not change our national team colours. This is petty politics of the worst kind,' Patnaik said.

He compared the blue jersey's significance to Argentina's iconic striped football kit and Brazil's famous yellow jersey, saying changing it was an attempt to erase India's sporting legacy.

Patnaik further alleged that the decision was influenced by the BJP government in Odisha.

'I am given to understand that this step was taken under pressure from the BJP Government in Odisha. Those in authority may deny it, but for the last two years everybody in Odisha has seen the obsession of this government with changing colours of buildings, buses and even bridges. But now the same government has changed the colours of our national team,' he said.

He also accused the Odisha government of politicising the national sport and said the decision had hurt the sentiments of sports lovers across the country.

The jersey colour change has also drawn reactions from former India hockey captain and Olympian Viren Rasquinha, who questioned the decision on social media.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2026 10:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).