Bhagwat Backs Leaders’ Retirement at 75, Triggers Speculation
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, speaking at a book launch in Nagpur on July 9, reminded leaders that turning 75 can be a sign to step aside. Quoting RSS ideologue Moropant Pingle, he said: “When you turn 75, it means you should stop now and make way for others.”
What About PM Modi?
Bhagwat and Prime Minister Narendra Modi—both born in September 1950—will turn 75 within days of each other. Rajasthan Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut pointed out that while Modi previously asked senior BJP leaders like L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi to retire at 75, he has shown no signs of retiring himself. Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi echoed this, urging consistency in applying the same standard.
BJP and RSS Respond
BJP leaders, including Rajnath Singh and Chandrashekhar Bawankule, dismissed the retirement-age talk as speculation. They stated there is no formal rule compelling leaders to retire at 75 and emphasised that many leaders—like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh—served well beyond that age. The party clarified that leadership decisions depend on public mandate, not arbitrary age limits.
Context of the Debate
The discussion comes amid growing political noise around leadership transitions. Bhagwat’s comment—while general in tone—has raised questions over whether the RSS or BJP will formally adopt a retirement norm, especially as both he and PM Modi near 75.
What This Means
Although meant as a general reflection, Bhagwat’s remark has sparked a broader debate on leadership renewal in India’s major ideological groups. For now, however, both he and PM Modi remain active, and no official changes to retirement norms have been announced.
