Oppn calls remark a ‘reminder to Modi’
New Delhi: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s suggestion that one should retire at the age of 75 is being seen by the Opposition as a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who turns 75 this September, though functionaries of the Sangh have denied any “political colour” to the view.
Bhagwat, at a book launch event dedicated to late RSS ideologue Moropant Pingle in Nagpur Wednesday, referred to an anecdote involving him and asserted: “When you turn 75, it means you should stop now and make way for others.”
“Moropant Pingle 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 said, adding that the late leader had dedicated his life to service of the nation but also believed in withdrawing gracefully after a certain age.
While most of the speech was delivered in Marathi, the bit about retiring at 75 years of age was in Hindi. The comments were quickly picked up by the Opposition which termed it as a veiled attack on Modi.
Taking a jibe, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted on X in Hindi: “Poor award-winning Prime Minister! What a homecoming – reminded by the RSS chief upon return that he will turn 75 on September 17, 2025. One arrow. Two targets.” He was referring to Modi’s return to India Thursday after concluding a five-nation tour and receiving civilian honours.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said to the media: “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.”
Both Bhagwat and Modi will turn 75 in September.
Speaking to ThePrint, a senior RSS functionary said the context of Bhagwat’s remarks was “completely different”, and they should not be given political colour.
“Bhagwat ji was speaking at a book launch and the 75 years issue was purely about Pingaleji. The way it is being interpreted is not correct,” said the functionary.
The BJP too said a “needless controversy” is being created by the Opposition. “The RSS doesn’t define the functioning of the BJP. Why is a needless controversy being created by the opposition? They should focus on their own parties,” said R.P. Singh, BJP national spokesperson.
A second RSS functionary said Bhagwat’s statement was being blown out of “context” and “proportion”. “Bhagwatji never said anything on retirement age for anyone. He was merely quoting one of the instances about Pingleji. He delivered a long speech and shared several other instances too.”
Though not much has officially been stated on the subject, Modi had himself invoked an unofficial retirement age of 75 after the BJP-led NDA assumed power at the Centre in 2014, due to which many senior leaders of the party were allegedly sidelined.
But in 2023, Modi in his address to the nation made it clear that he had set his sights on continuing in office for another five years. He had made a similar statement at the debate on the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha that year.
Similarly, last year, after AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal spoke about the “75 years age rule in BJP”, Amit Shah was quick to react and said that Modi would continue to lead the nation.
