‘When You Turn 75, It Means You Should Stop’: Is Mohan Bhagwat Pointing At PM Modi?
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RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has reignited political debate by suggesting that leaders should “stop and make way for others” once they turn 75. His remarks, made during a book launch in Nagpur, have led to fresh speculation that he could be indirectly hinting at Prime Minister Narendra Modi , who will turn 75 in September 2025.
Speaking at the release of Moropant Pingle: The Architect of Hindu Resurgence, Bhagwat recalled how the late RSS ideologue Moropant Pingle used to say: “When you turn 75, it means you should stop now and make way for others.” Bhagwat added, “Pingle once said…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.”
Opposition Quick to React
Bhagwat’s statement was seized upon by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut remarked, “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.”
The Congress also joined the debate. Senior leader Jairam Ramesh noted the irony, saying: “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!”
Earlier Speculations and Clarifications
In March, after PM Modi’s rare visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, some opposition leaders claimed he might be preparing to step down. Sanjay Raut even suggested that Modi went to “He (Modi) probably went to RSS headquarters to write his retirement application in September.”
However, these rumours were dismissed by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who asserted that Modi would lead the country for many more years.
Previously, when Arvind Kejriwal had raised similar questions in 2024, BJP president JP Nadda firmly denied any such rule, stating: “There is no such provision regarding age in the BJP's constitution.” Bhagwat’s latest remarks, however, appear to contrast with this official party stance.
The BJP’s Unwritten Age Limit
Since Modi’s rise to power in 2014, several senior BJP leaders were gradually sidelined after crossing 75, reflecting what many saw as an informal age guideline meant to bring in younger leadership. Still, this was never applied uniformly; for instance, BS Yediyurappa became Karnataka chief minister at 76 in 2019.
Despite the recent debate, Modi remains the BJP’s most prominent and popular figure and is widely expected to continue leading the party in the near future.
Speaking at the release of Moropant Pingle: The Architect of Hindu Resurgence, Bhagwat recalled how the late RSS ideologue Moropant Pingle used to say: “When you turn 75, it means you should stop now and make way for others.” Bhagwat added, “Pingle once said…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.”
Opposition Quick to React
Bhagwat’s statement was seized upon by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut remarked, “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.”
The Congress also joined the debate. Senior leader Jairam Ramesh noted the irony, saying: “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!”
Earlier Speculations and Clarifications
In March, after PM Modi’s rare visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, some opposition leaders claimed he might be preparing to step down. Sanjay Raut even suggested that Modi went to “He (Modi) probably went to RSS headquarters to write his retirement application in September.”
However, these rumours were dismissed by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who asserted that Modi would lead the country for many more years.
Previously, when Arvind Kejriwal had raised similar questions in 2024, BJP president JP Nadda firmly denied any such rule, stating: “There is no such provision regarding age in the BJP's constitution.” Bhagwat’s latest remarks, however, appear to contrast with this official party stance.
The BJP’s Unwritten Age Limit
Since Modi’s rise to power in 2014, several senior BJP leaders were gradually sidelined after crossing 75, reflecting what many saw as an informal age guideline meant to bring in younger leadership. Still, this was never applied uniformly; for instance, BS Yediyurappa became Karnataka chief minister at 76 in 2019.
Despite the recent debate, Modi remains the BJP’s most prominent and popular figure and is widely expected to continue leading the party in the near future.
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