RSS chief Bhagwat’s 75-year retirement remark sparks political debate-OxBig News Network

Politics has heated up following Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s open-ended remarks.

His statement that one should step aside after attaining the age of 75 drew sharp comments from the Opposition on Friday, which saw an opportunity to take a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who turns 75 this year.

The RSS chief’s remarks are seen by the Opposition as a veiled message to PM Modi.

Speaking at a book launch event on Wednesday, Bhagwat said, “When you turn 75, it means you should stop now and make way for others”.

Recalling late RSS ideologue Moropant Pingle’s words, “Moropant Pingle once said that if you are honoured with a shawl after turning 75, it means that you should stop now, you are old, step aside and let others come in.”

Bhagwat himself will turn 75 on September 11 this year, six days ahead of PM Modi, whom the Opposition has speculated will retire after attaining this age. Interestingly, both Bhagwat and Modi are set to reach the age of 75 in September 2025.

In a sharp reaction, Congress general secretary in charge of Communication, Jairam Ramesh, said, “Poor award-seeking Prime Minister! What a homecoming this is – on returning, he was reminded by the Sarsanghchalak that he will turn 75 on 17 September 2025.”

He also said, “But the Prime Minister can also tell the Sarsanghchalak that – he too will turn 75 on 11 September 2025!”

“One arrow, two targets!” he said.

“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,” Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut said.

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.”

The saffron party has repeatedly said that there are no retirement plans for Modi and that he will continue to lead the government.

“Modi ji will continue to lead until 2029. There’s no truth in retirement rumours,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah had clarified way back in May 2023.

What’s more interesting is that on the day Bhagwat made his remarks, Amit Shah addressed his post-retirement plans at a separate event.

“I would like to dedicate my time to the Vedas, Upanishads, and organic farming,” Shah said. He turned 60 in April this year.