A political dispute has erupted after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi did not attend the Beating Retreat ceremony, prompting sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which accused the Congress leadership of disregarding constitutional traditions and national symbols.The Beating Retreat, held annually on January 29, marks the formal conclusion of Republic Day celebrations and is attended by the President, senior constitutional functionaries and leaders across the political spectrum. The absence of the Opposition leader, a role accorded formal recognition within Parliament, was seized upon by BJP leaders as a sign of political indifference towards a ceremony rooted in the armed forces’ traditions and the Republic’s civic rituals.
Senior BJP figures said attendance at such events transcends party politics and reflects respect for the Constitution and the institutions it created. They argued that leaders holding constitutional positions have a responsibility to be present, particularly at occasions honouring the armed forces and the country’s democratic framework. Some party spokespersons framed the issue as part of a broader pattern, alleging that the Congress leadership selectively engages with national events based on political convenience.
The Congress rejected the criticism, describing it as manufactured outrage. Party officials said Rahul Gandhi had prior engagements and that attendance at ceremonial functions should not be weaponised for political point-scoring. They maintained that commitment to constitutional values is demonstrated through parliamentary conduct, public accountability and defence of democratic norms, rather than the presence or absence at a single event.
The controversy unfolded against a backdrop of heightened political polarisation, where symbolism and optics increasingly shape public debate. The role of the Leader of the Opposition, formally recognised since amendments to parliamentary practice in the past decade, has assumed greater prominence as the government and opposition spar over institutional decorum and democratic checks and balances.
Political analysts note that ceremonial occasions have long been used by parties to signal respect for state institutions, particularly the military. The Beating Retreat ceremony, with its military bands and traditions dating back to colonial-era drill practices adapted after Independence, carries emotional resonance and public visibility. Any deviation from expected protocol, analysts say, is likely to be amplified in a media environment attuned to symbolism.
Within the Congress, there has been a push to shift focus from ceremonial politics to substantive issues such as employment, price pressures and federal relations. Party strategists argue that the BJP often seeks to frame debates around nationalism and symbolism to draw attention away from governance challenges. They point out that opposition leaders are not constitutionally mandated to attend every state function, and that political engagement should be judged on legislative performance and public outreach.
The BJP, however, has doubled down on its critique, asserting that constitutional traditions are sustained through practice and participation. Party leaders have contrasted the presence of other opposition figures at the ceremony with Rahul Gandhi’s absence, suggesting that it undermines the stature of the office he holds. Some have also linked the issue to earlier disputes over protocol and participation in state events, portraying it as part of a continuing pattern.
Public reaction has been mixed. Supporters of the BJP echoed the party’s stance on social media, framing the absence as a snub to the armed forces. Congress supporters countered by questioning why attendance at a ceremonial event should overshadow debates on policy and governance. Neutral observers noted that the intensity of the response reflects the increasingly symbolic nature of political confrontation, where gestures and optics can overshadow substantive discourse.