Christian Clergy requested to sing "Abide With Me," Gandhi's favourite hymn, on January 30

Tushar Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, whom India reveres as 'The Father of the Nation,' has sent out an appeal to citizens as well as Christian clergy in India to sing the hymn "Abide with Me" as part of Church services on Sunday, January 30. Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on this day in 1948.

The appeal comes even as intellectuals, Gandhians, and liberals expressed their dismay at the Indian government dropping the hymn from the traditional 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony, which takes place on the third day after India's Republic Day. (This year, it falls on January 29).

"A recent Government (Defence Ministry) communique finds no mention of 'Abide With Me' in this year's 'Beating Retreat' program, which will be held 29 January 29 as the culmination of the events on and around Republic Day. 'Abide in Me' has been one of the staple tunes at the ceremony since 1950 and was Mahatma Gandhi's favourite," writes Jesuit Peace activist Cedric Prakash.

The letter

In his letter, Tushar Gandhi has said:

"Mohandas Gandhi believed that it was the duty of every human to study and respect every religion in pursuit of this, he studied the Holy Scriptures of every religion.

"All his life, in all his Ashrams in South Africa and India prayers were held every morning and evening. In them, prayers from all religions were included and given equal importance. The hymn 'Abide With Me' was one of his favourite Hymns and would be sung many times.

 "After Independence after India became a Republic. Republic Day commemoration would end with the Beating The Retreat Ceremony on Raj Path on  January 29. Marching Bands of all three Services performed several songs. 'Abide With Me' was always performed all these years. It symbolizes the syncretic culture of our nation where all religions were included and given equal status and respect."

"This year inexplicably, 'Abide with Me' has been replaced. It is hurtful more so because the next day, January 30 is the day Bapu was martyred in 1948. In his memory and as a tribute to his desire for an inclusive, all-embracing, respectful and loving nation, Citizens of India should take it upon themselves to perform, recite or play 'Abide With Me' as a tribute to Mohandas Gandhi."

An appeal

"My Appeal to the Church is to sing 'Abide With Me' in as many Churches as possible all over India on  January 30 this year, as a tribute to Mohandas Gandhi and as an affirmation of our Syncretic Culture and our secular belief of equal respect to all religions.

 Unfortunately, today hate has taken center stage in our nation, changing the narrative of so many decades and corrupting the ideal on which our nation was founded. Gandhi said hate must be countered solely with love, a very Christian ethic. Let us all make the singing, reciting or playing of 'Abide With Me' our reply to hate. Let love prevail!"

Not the first attempt

Father Cedric Prakash notes that the BJP led Government had planned to drop 'Abide With Me' in 2020 from the Beating Retreat ceremony but had later retained it after a huge nationwide uproar.

"This time, there is also a groundswell of protest. It is certain, however, that the Government will be unrelenting," he notes.

It will be remembered that the present Bharatiya Janata Party is an offshoot of the RSS - the organization to which Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi, belonged.

Lyrics of the song: Abide with Me

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away
Change and decay in all around I see
O Thou who changest not, abide with me

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness
Where is death's sting?
Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee
In life, in death, o Lord, abide with me
Abide with me, abide with me

Songwriters: Henry Francis Lyte / Will Henry Monk