The Beating Retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border, a long-standing tradition known for its theatrical display of patriotism and military discipline, has become a subject of intense national debate following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people. In the aftermath of the tragedy, India has taken strong retaliatory steps against Pakistan—including scaling down the Retreat Ceremony and closing the integrated Attari-Wagah checkpost altogether.
What’s Changed
On April 24, the Border Security Force (BSF) confirmed a calibrated scaling down of the ceremony at Attari, Hussainiwala, and Sadki border posts in Punjab. This comes as part of the broader diplomatic and strategic measures announced by India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which include:
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Expelling Pakistani military attachés
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Suspending the Indus Waters Treaty
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Shutting down the only operational land border crossing between the two countries
Growing Calls for Permanent Discontinuation
What began as a symbolic gesture of military pride and bilateral engagement has now come under fire from several quarters in India:
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Army veterans like Lt. Gen. KJS Dhillon (Retd.) have labeled the ceremony as “nautanki,” stating it dilutes the solemnity traditionally associated with military events.
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Geostrategic experts such as Sushant Sareen called it “cringe-worthy”, questioning whether a modern, serious nation should indulge in such theatrical displays.
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Influencers and public voices have described the ceremony as “clownery” and a relic that no longer suits the gravity of India’s security challenges.
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Political leaders like Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi are also calling for a complete halt to the ceremony, referring to Pakistan as “Aatankistan” and suggesting broader cultural disengagement, such as banning Pakistani actors and cricket matches.
Public Sentiment & Symbolism
The Retreat Ceremony, initiated in 1959, has long been viewed as a blend of spectacle and diplomacy. Soldiers from both sides perform synchronized drills, marked by loud stomping, dramatic salutes, and nationalistic fervor, culminating in the lowering of both nations' flags at sunset. Over time, however, it has evolved into a tourist spectacle that some now believe undercuts the serious nature of the Indo-Pak relationship.
The ceremony’s suspension post-Pahalgam and lack of usual gestures—such as no opening of gates, no handshake between forces, and a thin crowd—have only reinforced arguments that it may no longer serve its intended purpose in the current geopolitical climate.
What's Next?
With diplomatic ties at a historic low, and public anger intensifying, especially in light of repeated terrorist attacks traced to Pakistani soil, India’s decision to “scale down” the ceremony may be the first step toward its eventual abolition.
A final decision has not been announced, but if the public pressure and strategic recalibrations continue, the Beating Retreat at Attari-Wagah may soon be confined to history—a chapter closed in favor of quiet strength over performative nationalism.
