4 min readLucknowUpdated: Sep 10, 2026 12:51 AM IST
Taking a swipe at the BJP over its criticism of the SP’s choice of blue, Yadav said, “PDA (Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak) is progressive, positive and democratic. It is about connecting people, increasing brotherhood and harmony, respecting the Constitution and making people world citizens.”
Unveiling a blue dress code for the party’s student wing — Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha —, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said on Tuesday that the colour represented not just democracy, the Constitution and the Bahujan movement but it also symbolised a rebellion against any kind of injustice in society.
The new outfit for members of the student wing comprises blue T-shirt and jeans with a red cap.
“Uniform uniformity laati hai (Uniform brings uniformity). Jeans, especially in blue colour, were once a symbol of rebellion against injustice as it was the attire of factory and mine workers,” said Akhilesh at a press conference at the party headquarters in Lucknow.
The SP chief also announced a two-week “Chhatra Jagrukta Saptah” (student awareness week) at educational institutions, aimed at connecting with students, especially Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
“Like every year, the party will be working to connect with students in colleges and universities. This will not just be about enrolling them as members, but also taking the party’s ideology to them and helping them connect with it,” the former chief minister said.
The colour also pointed to fresh thinking, the idea of being global citizens, democratic values and the Bahujan Samaj movement, he claimed.
Behind the makeover
Explaining the rationale behind introducing a new dress code, Akhilesh said, “Since the new generation has a new thinking, there should also be a new uniform. The uniform is intended to convey ideology as well as create a sense of equality among students.”
“A uniform is not merely a uniform… All inequalities disappear when we come together in uniform. Only the uniform is visible,” he said.
Underlining that the blue colour has political as well as social significance, the SP president said, “I am happy that we linked blue with ideology, democracy and the Constitution. Blue has also been associated with the Bahujan Samaj (Dalit community) and BR Ambedkar.”
The blue colour also makes one look younger, he added.
On the choice of jeans, he said, “It used to be the attire of people who worked in factories, mines and fields. Today it is fashionable. You will hardly find anyone from the new generation who does not wear jeans.”
– जब नयी पीढ़ी की सोच नई है तो यूनिफ़ॉर्म भी तो नई होनी चाहिए।
– यूनिफ़ॉर्म समाजवादी मूल्यों की ही बात करती है।
– UNIFORM पहनावे के भेद से जन्म लेनेवाली ग़ैरबराबरी को ख़त्म करके UNIFORMITY लाती है। इसीलिए ये समाजवाद के बराबरी के सिद्धांत को और भी मज़बूत करती है।
The colour also pointed to fresh thinking, the idea of being global citizens, democratic values and the Bahujan Samaj movement, he claimed.
Taking a swipe at the BJP over its criticism of the SP’s choice of blue, Yadav said, “PDA (Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak) is progressive, positive and democratic. It is about connecting people, increasing brotherhood and harmony, respecting the Constitution and making people world citizens.”
Story continues below this ad
Targeting the ruling party over the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, he said, “Those affiliated with the BJP are often scared of colours, but they are not afraid of God. They steal donations. They should be afraid not of colours, but of God. Those stealing the donations are the biggest impersonators of all.”
Yadav said if voted to power in the state, the SP will form a committee of old functionaries of student unions and send them to Oxford and Cambridge universities and other institutions in Europe to understand how students raise their voices and how their unions work there so as to implement those ideas back home.
Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development.
Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world's most populous sub-national entity.
Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. ... Read More
The colour also pointed to fresh thinking, the idea of being global citizens, democratic values and the Bahujan Samaj movement, he claimed.