The Congress on Friday reacted to the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh’s chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks stating that individuals should step aside after the age of 75. The opposition called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s retirement citing that he turns 75 in September 2025.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted on X stating that "Poor award-winning Prime Minister! 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! One arrow, two targets!"
The RSS chief made the comments during a book launch in Nagpur on July 9 held in honour of Moropant Pingle, a major contributor to the Ram Janmbhoomi movement. Recalling Pingle’s views, Bhagwat said that “When one is draped in a shawl at 75, it signifies that we’ve aged. It’s time to make space for others.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut stated that, “Modi forcibly retired leaders like Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, and Jaswant Singh citing age. Let’s see if he follows the same path now.” He further asked, "Will Modi retire?"
Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi also commented that “Preaching without practice is always dangerous. It is unprincipled that the Margdarshak Mandal was given compulsory retirement applying the 75 years age limit but indications are clear that current dispensation will be exempted from this rule.”
BJP Retirement Clause
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier told The Week in 2019 that “No one above 75 has been given tickets. This is the party’s decision.”
However, in May 2023, he claimed that there was no retirement clause in the BJP. “Modi ji will continue to lead till 2029. There’s no truth in retirement rumours. The INDIA bloc won’t win the upcoming elections with lies,” he had said.
The opposition parties had reminded the citizen's of BJP's alleged "retirement rule" during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
