'Leader Of Leisure, Propaganda': BJP Hits Out At Rahul Gandhi For Skipping Beating Retreat Ceremony

Last Updated:January 30, 2026, 10:59 IST

Rahul Gandhi’s absence from the Beating Retreat ceremony drew criticism, with BJP pointing to his repeated skipping of major national events.

Congress leader and LoP Rahul Gandhi. (Image: PTI/File)

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi came under fire after he did not attend the ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony held at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi on Thursday.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jaiveer Shergill took a swipe at Gandhi for skipping the Beating Retreat ceremony, the vice president’s oath-taking ceremony, the Independence Day celebrations, and the swearing-in ceremony of the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant.

“Events missed by Rahul Gandhi: Beating Retreat, Vice President oath-taking ceremony, Independence Day celebrations, Swearing-in of the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, J. Attended: Malaysia, Vietnam, Colombia," wrote Shergill on X, also adding that India deserves a Leader of Opposition and not a leader of “leisure and propaganda".

The 77th Republic Day celebrations came to an end on Thursday with the customary Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijay Chowk, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the performances of military and paramilitary bands, noting their skill and the way they honoured key moments in the nation’s history.

News politics 'Leader Of Leisure, Propaganda': BJP Hits Out At Rahul Gandhi For Skipping Beating Retreat Ceremony

Read More