Retirement age row: Congress uses RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remark to target PM; Modi turns 75 this year

NEW DELHI: The opposition on Friday latched on to Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat 's remarks to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi . Congress called for PM Modi's "retirement" after Bhagwat suggested that political leaders should step aside by the age of 75.

In social media post on X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called PM Modi a "poor award-winning Prime Minister!" and said, "what a homecoming- reminded by the RSS chief upon return that he will turn 75 on September 17, 2025. But the Prime Minister could also tell the RSS chief that- he too will turn 75 on September 11, 2025!"

Congress leader Pawan Khera also said that both PM Modi and Bhagwat should "pick up their bags" and leave the office. "Now both of you pick up the bag and go guide each other," Khera said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also questioned whether PM Modi will apply the same retirement rule to himself that was reportedly used to sideline senior BJP leaders after they turned 75.

“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,” he said.

This comes after Bhagwat said that political leaders should step aside at 75, raising questions about its possible implications for PM Modi.
Speaking at a book launch event in Nagpur on Wednesday, Bhagwat said, “When you turn 75, it means you should stop now and make way for others.” He was reflecting on the views of late RSS ideologue Moropant Pingle, who, according to Bhagwat, believed that turning 75 was a signal to gracefully step aside.

“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,” he added.

Bhagwat’s comment drew attention as both he and PM Modi were born in September 1950 — Bhagwat on the 11th and PM Modi on the 17th.

Raut had earlier claimed that PM Modi’s visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur in March, his first in over a decade, was to discuss his potential retirement. The BJP had then denied the claim, calling the visit routine.

Union home minister Amit Shah, in May 2023, dismissed retirement rumors, saying, “Modi ji will continue to lead till 2029. There is no retirement clause in the BJP constitution.”