‘When You Turn 75, Make Way For Others': RSS Chief's Remark Sparks Buzz In Opposition Camp
Mohan Bhagwat and PM Modi are turning 75 this September. The RSS chief's remarks were used by the Opposition to target the Prime Minister.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's open-ended remark suggesting stepping aside after attaining the age of 75 has drawn comments from the Opposition, which took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who turns 75 this year.
Bhagwat himself will turn 75 on September 11 this year, six days ahead of PM Modi, who has been speculated time and again by the Opposition to retire after attaining this age.
Speaking at a book launch event on Wednesday evening, 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."
Politics heated up after his remarks, but what's more interesting about Bhagwat's comments is the timing, as he and PM Modi are set to touch the 75 age mark in September 2025.
The RSS chief's statement was seen by several Opposition leaders as a veiled message to PM Modi.
'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," Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut said.
Congress leader Abhishke Manu Singhvi said, '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 the current dispensation will be exempted from this rule."
The BJP has clarified in the past that there are no retirement plans for the Prime Minister, and he will continue to lead the government.
'Modi ji will continue to lead till 2029. There's no truth in retirement rumours," Union Home Minister Amit Shah had clarified way back in May 2023.
What's all the way 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.
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First Published:
July 11, 2025, 08:07 IST
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