(CORRECTION: In an earlier version of this report, The Quint quoted Hindustan Times and Deccan Herald reports which said, quoting official sources, that the Defence Ministry has decided to drop 'Abide by Me’ tune in the line up for the 2020 Beating Retreat ceremony.)
Contrary to earlier media reports, ‘Abide With Me’ – the Christian hymn, believed to be Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite will remain a part of the Beating Retreat Ceremony – organised to mark the culmination of four-day-long Republic Day celebrations. The event is organised at the Vijay Chowk on 29 January every year.
As tradition goes, the ceremony closes with ‘Abide With Me’ every year. In an earlier version of this report, The Quint quoted the Hindustan Times and Deccan Herald reports, quoting official sources, which said the Defence Ministry has decided to drop the tune in the 2020 ceremony.
Several other organisations including Scroll.in, The Wire, The Hindu, and The Week also reported that the hymn was dropped.
The ceremony, however, will close with ‘Sare Jahan Se Acha,’ tweeted senior journalist Manu Pubby, on Thursday, 23 January.