A seemingly casual remark by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat is causing ripples across India’s political landscape. At a book launch event in Nagpur on Wednesday, Bhagwat suggested that individuals should step aside from public life after turning 75—a comment many believe was a veiled reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who turns 75 this September.
Speaking at the release of Moropant Pingale: The Architect of Hindu Resurgence, Bhagwat recalled an anecdote from an RSS gathering where Pingale was felicitated on his 75th birthday. “You gave me a shawl at 75, but I know what that means. When someone is felicitated at 75, it means: now your time is up, now step aside and let us do the work,” Bhagwat quoted Pingale as saying.
Though Bhagwat did not name Modi, the timing and context were hard to ignore. Modi’s own government had enforced the 75-year retirement rule on senior BJP leaders like L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi in 2014, placing them in the largely ceremonial Margdarshak Mandal. The RSS, seen as the ideological parent of the BJP, has often nudged political direction from behind the scenes.
Leaders from across opposition parties seized the moment.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said, “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.”
Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi added, “Preaching without practice is always dangerous… The Margdarshak Mandal was formed applying the 75-year age rule, but the current leadership thinks it is exempt.”
Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary, took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote: “What a homecoming—reminded by the RSS chief upon return that he will turn 75 on September 17, 2025. But the PM could also remind the RSS chief that he too will turn 75 on September 11!”
Pawan Khera of Congress went a step further, calling for both Modi and Bhagwat to step down: “Now both of you pick up the bag and go guide each other.”
The BJP has dismissed the speculation. “Bhagwat ji was sharing a historical anecdote. It’s being misinterpreted,” said a senior BJP leader off record.
Back in 2023, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had already addressed such speculation, saying, “Modi ji will continue to lead till 2029. There’s no truth in retirement rumours.”
Coincidentally, Shah—who turned 60 this April—spoke on the same day as Bhagwat about his own post-retirement dreams: “I would like to dedicate my time to the Vedas, Upanishads, and organic farming.”
