A statement by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has created an earthquake in Indian politics. He talked about retirement after the age of 75, which the opposition created a ruckus by linking it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi ji, who will turn 75 this year on September 17, 2025, has been surrounded by opposition parties on the pretext of this statement of the RSS. The opposition is considering this as an indirect message for Modi, while the BJP has made it clear that Modi ji has no plans to retire.
It is worth mentioning here that during a book release event in Nagpur recently, Mohan Bhagwat said, “When you turn 75, it means that now you should stop. You should give a chance to others.” He recalled the words of late RSS ideologue Moropant Pingle, “If you are given a shawl after the age of 75, then understand that you have become old now. Step aside and let the new generation come forward.”
Hearing this statement, there was a stir in the political corridors. The reason was clear – Mohan Bhagwat himself will be 75 years old on September 11, 2025, and Prime Minister Modi will also turn 75 on September 17.
Opposition parties started using this statement as a weapon against Modi ji. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh took to social media platform X to taunt, writing, “Vichara Award-Giving Prime Minister! As soon as he returned from abroad, the RSS director reminded him that he will turn 75 on September 17, 2025. But Modi ji can also tell Bhagwat that you too will turn 75 on September 11!”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said, “Modi ji had removed big leaders like LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Jaswant Singh from politics on completing the age of 75. Now let’s see, does he apply this rule to himself as well?”
Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi also took a jibe and said, “It is always dangerous to give sermons without implementing them. The age limit of 75 years of the Margdarshak Mandal will not apply to Modi ji. The Sangh’s signal is clear, but the current arrangement will be relaxed.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bhardwaj said, “Now even the Sangh is indicating that Modi ji should leave the post of Prime Minister after the age of 75.”
On the other hand, the BJP says that there is no plan for Modi ji’s retirement. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had made it clear in May 2023, “Modi ji will continue to lead the government till 2029. There is no truth in the retirement rumours.” The BJP says that Mohan Bhagwat’s statement was only a reference to the views of Moropant Pingle, and not targeting any particular person.
Some political experts believe that this is just a part of the old thinking of the RSS, in which it talks about giving opportunities to the new generation. But the opposition is seeing this as a message for Modi ji. Interestingly, the RSS chief Bhagwat himself is also going to be 75 years old. So the question arises whether he will apply this rule to himself too?
According to BJP and RSS sources, there is no plan for Modi ji to retire yet. He has served as Prime Minister three times and as Chief Minister of Gujarat four times. Under his leadership, the BJP won the 2014, 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In such a situation, Modi’s political journey is likely to continue.
The question of Modi’s retirement is still a part of the rumours, but Amit Shah is all set to replace Modi. are emerging as strong contenders, who have strong support from the Sangh and the party. Yogi Adityanath and Nitin Gadkari are also in the fray, but their chances are less than Shah. Leaders like Rajnath Singh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Himanta Biswa Sarma are also possible, but their chances are relatively low. The final decision will be taken only with the consent of the Sangh and the BJP, and Modi’s leadership is likely to continue till 2029.
