NEW DELHI: The BJP government today dropped the most popular song, “Abide with Me”, on Republic Day celebrations by Mahatma Gandhi. The song “Abide with Me” (and “stay with it”) was played at Beating the Retreat at Vijay Chowk in the state capital as part of the Republic Day celebrations. This was a favorite song of Gandhiji. Defense Ministry sources are suggesting that this is being omitted for the inclusion of new songs, but it is estimated that anti-Christianity is reflected in the proceedings.
‘Abide With Me’ is a song written by Scottish Anglican writer Henry Francis Light. This is the only English song to be sung in a 45-minute rep day. The Republic Day celebrations will conclude with the lighting of Raisina Hills, where the Rashtrapati Bhavan is located. The song “Abide with Me” is thought to have been written during the Great Depression of Europe in 1847. The song was first heard during Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to the Mysore royal palace.
