Opposition Targets Prime Minister Narendra Modi Over RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's ‘retire at 75’ comment

New Delhi (India) July 11: The Congress reacted negatively to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement on Wednesday. Bhagwat has said that leaders should retire at the age of 75. It is speculated that he was referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

In September, PM Modi and Bhagwat will both turn 75. Their birthdays fall six days apart.

OPPOSITION ATTACK

Jairam Ramesh, a Congress leader, made fun of Prime Minister Modi after he returned from his longest diplomatic trip to date.

He posted, "Poor award-jeevi Prime Minister! What a homecoming - reminded by the RSS chief upon return that he will turn 75 on September 17, 2025," on social media platform X.

Ramesh added that the prime minister could also remind the head of the RSS that September 11 is his own 75th birthday. He wrote, "One arrow, two targets," in the post.

The Congress leader's 'award-jeevi' jab may also be a reference to PM Modi's "aandolan jeevi" and "Foreign Destructive Ideology" remarks during the farmers' protest.

Pawan Khera also made fun of PM Modi after Bhagwat's comment. He tweeted in Hindi, "Now both of you pick up the bag and go guide each other.”

Sanjay Raut, an MP for the Shiv Sena (UBT), also asked if PM Modi would follow the same retirement rule that was allegedly applied to senior BJP leaders who reached the age of 75.

Raut previously stated that PM Modi's March had visited the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, his first in more than ten years. The visit was intended to talk about his possible retirement.

BJP'S DEFENSE

However, the BJP rejected these interpretations. Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, “There is no rule in the BJP about retirement at 75. Sanjay Raut is no one to decide how long the Prime Minister should serve- the people of the country will decide that.”

MOHAN BHAGWAT'S STATEMENT 

Mr. Bhagwat specifically stated Pingley's comments that if you have a 75-year-old shawl draped over you, it indicates that you have reached a certain age and should leave your job to others.

Bhagwat said, “When you turn 75, it means you should stop now and make way for others.”

He added, “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.”

Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister has stated in the past that Modi will remain prime minister until he is 75 years old. The BJP's operating guidelines do not impose an age limit.

Aadrika Tayal