After an entire year of wearing his signature white T-shirt, enduring the biting cold and relentless rain, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made a striking and deliberate sartorial shift on Thursday by donning a blue polo T-shirt. This move, subtle yet profound, carried significant political symbolism amidst the ongoing tumultuous debates over Dalit icon Dr. BR Ambedkar. Gandhi’s change in attire was not merely aesthetic but a calculated gesture that aligned with a larger narrative of social justice and solidarity.
Rahul Gandhi wasn’t alone in this symbolic expression. His sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, further amplified the message, appearing in a regal blue saree as she joined her brother and other Congress leaders in a march through Parliament. The leaders carried portraits of Ambedkar, demanding an apology and resignation from Home Minister Amit Shah over his controversial remarks in the Rajya Sabha. The sea of blue-clad Opposition members transformed Parliament into a stage for a broader dialogue on justice, equality, and the enduring legacy of Ambedkar, one of India’s foremost social reformers.
The choice of blue is deeply rooted in the history of Dalit resistance and identity. It is more than a color—it is a statement, a symbol of the struggles, aspirations, and dreams of millions. Across the length and breadth of India, Ambedkar is immortalized in blue statues and photographs, a tradition that underscores the profound significance of the color.
Over the years, blue has come to define many of India’s most pivotal Dalit movements. From the nationwide protests following the tragic suicide of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula in 2016 to the massive 2018 demonstrations against the Supreme Court ruling perceived to have diluted the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, blue flags have consistently served as rallying points for unity and resistance. These flags, fluttering defiantly in marches and rallies, are a vivid reminder of the struggles faced by marginalized communities and their unyielding spirit of defiance.
One incident particularly underscores the protective zeal with which the Dalit community regards the color blue. In 2018, an Ambedkar statue in Uttar Pradesh, whose sherwani had been controversially painted saffron, was swiftly repainted blue by a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader. This act was not merely about aesthetics; it was a strong rebuttal to attempts at altering the visual and symbolic legacy of Ambedkar.
The BSP, under Mayawati’s leadership, has prominently featured blue as its ideological and political identity, with the color dominating its flags, campaign materials, and symbols. Similarly, Chandrashekhar Azad’s Azad Samaj Party has embraced blue through its emblematic blue gamcha, a piece of cloth draped around the neck that serves as a symbol of resistance and unity.
The origins of blue as a Dalit symbol can be traced back to Ambedkar himself. Lalji Nirmal of the Ambedkar Mahasabha highlights that blue was Ambedkar’s favorite color and was frequently used in his personal and political life. Retired IPS officer and Dalit activist SR Darapuri points out that the Scheduled Castes Federation of India, founded by Ambedkar in 1942, adopted a blue flag with an Ashok Chakra at its center. This design continued when the Republican Party of India was established in 1956 after dissolving the earlier federation. Today, under the leadership of Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, the Republican Party of India retains the blue flag as a core part of its identity.
The philosophical resonance of blue extends beyond its political symbolism. Scholars and activists often link it to the vastness of the sky, which embodies universality and equality. Political science professor Raosaheb Kasbe and Dalit rights activist Kancha Ilaiah emphasize this connection, suggesting that Ambedkar viewed the blue sky as a metaphor for inclusivity and boundlessness. Ilaiah recalls Ambedkar’s words likening the blue sky to Dalits, Shudras, and tribals, who are omnipresent and integral to India’s social fabric. This universal color, Ambedkar suggested, represented equality and solidarity under a shared expanse.
Rahul Gandhi’s adoption of blue during the ongoing political and social discourse is not just a change in wardrobe but a deliberate and strategic move to connect with the ideals of Ambedkar and the aspirations of Dalit communities. By aligning with this powerful symbol of resistance, equality, and empowerment, the Congress party is attempting to bolster its outreach to marginalized communities. This symbolic embrace of blue played a role in strengthening its narrative during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the party reaped the benefits of resonating with the socio-political significance of the color.
In India’s socio-political landscape, where every gesture carries weight, the shift to blue by Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders transcends aesthetics. It is a statement of intent, a nod to history, and a reaffirmation of the ideals of justice and equality championed by Ambedkar. Through this act, the Congress party seeks to underscore its commitment to bridging divides, fighting discrimination, and standing in solidarity with the aspirations of millions under the vast and unifying blue sky.
