Bhagwat & Modi turn 75 next month: What Sangh chief’s ‘no retirement’ remark really means

National News: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has ended days of speculation over his remarks on retirement at the age of 75. In a detailed clarification, Bhagwat stressed that he never suggested any leader should step down after reaching that age. The timing of his explanation is crucial—both he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will turn 75 next month. His statement, in effect, removes doubts within the BJP and delivers a blow to the Opposition INDIA bloc, which had interpreted his earlier words as a hint that Modi’s leadership might be nearing its end.

‘I never said anyone should retire’

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Bhagwat said his earlier comment had been misinterpreted. He clarified that his remark was actually a light-hearted reference to an incident from senior RSS pracharak Moropant Pingle’s 75th birthday, when Pingle jokingly said that being presented with a shawl signified it was time to make way for others. Bhagwat clarified, “As far as 75 years are concerned, I was only quoting Moropant ji. He was a very witty man. At his 75th birthday, he joked that now I’ve got the shawl, it means I should move aside.”

Highlighting the Sangh’s strict organizational discipline, Bhagwat stated that swayamsevaks have no choice in selecting their responsibilities. Even if I turn 80 and the Sangh asks me to attend a shakha, I cannot refuse. There is no concept of retirement here,” he added.

Opposition’s hopes dashed

The Congress, and particularly party president Mallikarjun Kharge, had seized on Bhagwat’s earlier words as a political opportunity. On July 25, Kharge had remarked that Modi would soon be 75 and questioned whether he would follow the “rule” of stepping aside, just as he had sidelined other senior BJP leaders. The Opposition had begun building a narrative around Modi being compelled to make way for a younger face. Bhagwat’s clarification has now effectively dashed that hope.

Road to 2029 clear for Modi

With the next general elections scheduled for 2029, Modi would be 79 by then. Bhagwat’s statement that age poses no limit within the RSS sends a clear signal of ongoing support for Modi’s leadership. It also reassures the BJP cadre that the Sangh has no reservations about Modi leading the party into the future, even beyond 2029. In political terms, Bhagwat’s remarks not only neutralize the Opposition’s narrative but also resolve any silent unease within sections of the BJP over succession. The Sangh has made it clear: leadership is decided by capability and responsibility, not by age.

For the INDIA bloc, which had momentarily celebrated Bhagwat’s earlier comments, this clarification is a setback. For Modi and the BJP, it is nothing short of a green signal to continue steering the party well into the next decade.