Mohan Bhagwat’s ‘retirement at 75’ comment sparks political controversy
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statement of retirement at the age of 75 has been used by the Congress to target PM Modi. The PM is turning 75 this year. Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs have also taken a dig at him.
There has been a political storm after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat advised leaders who cross the age of 75 to take a ‘respectful farewell’. The opposition immediately pounced on this statement, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanding him to “retire”. Regarding Bhagwat’s alleged comment of leaving the post at the age of 75, the Congress said that what kind of homecoming is this for the Prime Minister that on returning from abroad, the Sarsanghchalak reminded him that he will turn 75 this year.
Congress’s taunt: What kind of homecoming is this?
Congress party general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that the Prime Minister can also tell the Sarsanghchalak that he too will turn 75 on 11 September 2025. He said in a post on Instagram, “Poor award-seeking Prime Minister! What kind of homecoming is this – as soon as he returned, he was reminded by the Sarsanghchalak that he will turn 75 on 17 September 2025. But the Prime Minister can also tell the Sarsanghchalak that – he too will turn 75 on 11 September 2025! One arrow, two targets!”
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera also attacked and said, “Now both of you pick up your bags and guide each other.” He shared a video and wrote, “Good days are coming for the country. Bhagwat and Modi are going to leave.”
Shiv Sena (UBT)’s question: Will Modi apply the same rule to himself?
Earlier, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Sanjay Raut had asked whether PM Modi would apply the age 75 rule to himself as he did with senior BJP leaders. Raut said, “Modi ji had sidelined leaders like LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Jaswant Singh when they crossed 75. Now let’s see if he applies the same rule to himself.”
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also commented on the issue. She said, “This is a clear message and it is for the person who will celebrate his 75th birthday in September. This discussion between RSS and BJP is now coming out in the open.” Chaturvedi also indicated that this statement indicates the possibility of change in the internal leadership of BJP.
What was Mohan Bhagwat’s statement?
“When you turn 75, it means stop now and leave the way for others,” Mohan Bhagwat said at a book release event in Nagpur on Wednesday. Bhagwat was referring to RSS ideologue Moropant Pingle’s remark that when a shawl is put on you on completion of 75 years of age, it means you have reached a certain age, now you should step aside and let others work.
Age similarity between RSS chief and PM Modi
It is worth noting that both Mohan Bhagwat and PM Narendra Modi were born in September 1950 – Bhagwat on September 11 and Modi on September 17. For this reason, Bhagwat’s statement is being considered very important in political circles.
Questions were also raised on Nagpur visit
Sanjay Raut had earlier also claimed that PM Modi’s visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur in March, which was the first in a decade, was to discuss “possible retirement”.
This is not a new controversy between RSS and BJP regarding the age of leadership. Earlier also there has been discussion in BJP about the age limit of 75 years, under which many senior leaders were included in the ‘Margdarshak Mandal’ after leaving active politics. However, whether this policy will be applicable in the case of Prime Minister Modi or not is a big question.
However, BJP had completely rejected this claim and called it a regular visit. Home Minister Amit Shah had made it clear in May 2023 itself that PM Modi will continue to lead the country till 2029. He had said, “There is no retirement age fixed in the BJP constitution. Modi ji will remain the Prime Minister till 2029.”
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