New Delhi, July 11: Politics has erupted after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat suggested that individuals should step aside from active roles upon turning 75, a comment the Opposition seized upon as a subtle dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reaches that age next year.
Speaking at a book launch on Wednesday, Bhagwat said, “When you turn 75, it means you should stop now and make way for others.” He cited late RSS ideologue Moropant Pingle, who once quipped that being honoured with a shawl at 75 signified it was time to retire and let the next generation lead.
Bhagwat himself turns 75 on September 11, 2025 six days before PM Modi’s birthday on September 17, 2025. This coincidence has fueled speculation about whether Bhagwat’s remarks were aimed at the Prime Minister, who has previously enforced a similar retirement threshold for senior BJP leaders.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh wasted no time reacting, declaring, “Poor award-seeking Prime Minister! On returning, he was reminded by the Sarsanghchalak that he will turn 75 on 17 September 2025.”
Adding a sharp twist, Ramesh noted, “But the Prime Minister can also tell the Sarsanghchalak that he too will turn 75 on 11 September 2025! One arrow, two targets!”
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also weighed in, stating, “PM Modi forced leaders like L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, and Jaswant Singh to retire after they turned 75. Let’s see if he applies the same rule to himself now.”
Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, “Preaching without practice is always dangerous. It is unprincipled that the Margdarshak Mandal was given compulsory retirement applying the 75-year age limit, but indications are clear that the current dispensation will be exempted from this rule.”
However, the ruling BJP maintains that there are no plans for Modi’s retirement. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had categorically stated as early as May 2023 that, “Modi ji will continue to lead until 2029. There’s no truth in retirement rumours.”
Intriguingly, on the same day Bhagwat made his comments, Shah himself spoke publicly about post-retirement interests, saying, “I would like to dedicate my time to the Vedas, Upanishads, and organic farming.” Shah turned 60 in April this year.
The BJP leadership has so far avoided directly addressing whether Bhagwat’s remarks were intended for the Prime Minister, leaving political circles abuzz with speculation.
