RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat clarifies stance on retirement at 75: ‘Never said someone should…’

Mohan Bhagwat

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday asserted that he never advocated for anyone, including himself or any political figure, to retire at the age of 75.

His remarks came days after he shared an anecdote on turning 75, which was widely seen as a reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Bhagwat, who will turn 75 six days before the Prime Minister next month, said, "I quoted Moropant, who was very witty; he would make you bounce on your chair," Bhagwat said, recounting incidents from Pingle's biography launch in Nagpur, where he shared three or four anecdotes.

The RSS chief said he was quoting Moropant about how when someone felicitates you with a “shawl” at 75, it means that it is a gentle nudge to step back. However, Bhagwat noted that it was humorous, not prescriptive.

“I never said I will retire or someone should retire. In Sangh, we are given a job, whether we want it or not. If I am 80 years old, and Sangh says go and run a 'shakha', I will have to do it,” Bhagwat said in response to questions during the centenary celebrations of the RSS in New Delhi.

In the Sangh, swayamsewaks are given a job whether they want it or not, the RSS chief said, adding that they do what the Sangh tells them to.

Earlier, RSS sources had also stated that Bhagwat’s remarks were being over-interpreted. Speaking to The Indian Express, a senior functionary said: “This is being over-interpreted. Bhagwat ji was simply telling a humorous story about how self-effacing Moropant ji was, not laying down a principle. There are no plans for the Sarsanghchalak’s retirement, nor should this be seen as any kind of message to the Prime Minister.”

Union home minister Amit Shah has also made it clear that Modi will continue as the Prime Minister even after 75, mentioning that there is no such age bar within the BJP’s working rules.