RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's 'Step Aside After Turning 75' Remark Draws Retirement Speculations Against Him, Modi

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat at an event on Wednesday stated that it is ideal to retire once a person turns 75. This has led to speculations about both Bhagwat and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's possible retirement soon. Congress veteran Jairam Ramesh called it, "One arrow, two targets!".

Bhagwat speaking at a book release event dedicated to late RSS ideologue Moropant Pingle in Nagpur said, “When you turn 75, it means you should stop now and make way for others.”

This remarks comes at a time when he himself and PM Modi are a couple of months ahead of turning 75 themselves even though there hasn't been any official confirmation about them retiring this year.

Mohan Bhagwat On Retiring At 75

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat was in Nagpur on Wednesday for the book release of Sangh ideologue late Moropant Pingley.

Bhagwat lauded Pingley's "quiet commitment" to nation-building and his ability to connect with people across ideological lines and recalled his humorous nature.

Speaking of the Pingley, he said, “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,”

He further added that despite Pingley's devotion to national service, he believed in "withdrawing gracefully once the age signalled it was time."

Opposition React

Bhagwat's remark has attracted several reactions from the opposition leaders including Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut who asked if PM Modi may retire.

Raut reportedly asked, “PM Modi forced leaders like LK 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.”

“Preaching without practice is always dangerous. It is unprincipled that the Margdarshak Mandal was given compulsory retirement applying the 75 years age limit but indications are clear that current dispensation will be exempted from this rule,” Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said on the matter.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh in a post on X referred to this row saying, "Poor award-winning Prime Minister! What a homecoming - reminded by the RSS chief upon return that he will turn 75 on September 17, 2025. But the Prime Minister could also tell the RSS chief that - he too will turn 75 on September 11, 2025! One arrow, two targets!"

BJP's Retirement Clause

Union Home Minister Amit Shah in May 2023 had said that there is no retirement clause in the BJP’s constitution.

Hindustan Times quoted him saying, “Modi ji will continue to lead till 2029. There’s no truth in retirement rumours. The INDIA bloc won’t win the upcoming elections with lies."

Union minister Rajnath Singh had also dismissed existence of a formal retirement rule in BJP, stating, “It was never decided. You can write in bold letters that no such decision was taken… I was party president, and I am saying it forcefully that there was no such decision at all. Had it been decided, it would have been mentioned in the party constitution.”

Both Mohan Bhagwat and Narendra Modi were born in September 1950.