RSS chief Bhagwat retirement age remarks
A rather philosophical statement by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat about quitting after the age of 75 has sparked off a lot of political debate with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vehemently denying that it was directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Bhagwat used the Hindu philosophical concept of Vanaprastha, the third stage of life, which lays emphasis on gradual withdrawal of an individual as an active participant, at an event in Nagpur. Bhagwat said that people should retire after 75. Give the coming generations head-start. Be a back seat rider… It is our way.” He presented it as an overall rule of successful organizational transition.
Immediate controversy and Connection with Modi
The statement gave political circles a jolt. The reason? Prime Minister Modi, arguably the most powerful leader in the BJP who is also a life-long RSS pracharak (volunteer), is set to be 75 in September 2025. As the next general elections are scheduled to be held in 2024, the comments made by Bhagwat have been largely taken as a hint to the possible year of retirement of Modi especially by opposition leaders.
The rumor was not that baseless. The BJP had even set a retirement age of 75 in governmental positions informally in 2014 itself a decision leading to the departure of the party veterans such as L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi. Although the position of Modi has always been regarded as an exception, the remarks by Bhagwat rekindled the argument that the fate of Modi should be seen in the politics of the day.
The Aggressive Representation by BJP
Top BJP leaders responded with little covered urgency in an attempt to rubbish any insinuation that Bhagwat was aiming at the Prime Minister. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated, that Mohan Bhagwat Ji did not mention the name of anyone. What he says is misinterpreted.” This was expressed by the national spokesperson of BJP, Sambit Patra who indicated that it was a general statement depending on Indian culture ethos… It is a pity that some are trying to put a political tint to it.”
The rapidity with which this is denied, and the eagerness with which the BJP wants to show that it is united point to the landscape of sensitivity that the topics of leadership and Modi have become. It also points to the intricate liaison going on between RSS, the ideological father of the BJP and the party it wants to prop up.
Dissenters Step in and Take Action
The comments made by Bhagwat were however capitalized on by the opposition parties. Margdarshak Mandal As Congress leader Jairam Ramesh quipped: The 2014 idea of Margdarshak Mandal might have ended but it is now starting once again! Is the Margdarshak the one leading the Margdarshak?” It was regarded by others as a sign of tension between the Maharashtrian and more general Sangh Parivar.
Outside the Politics: A Cultural Ideal
With the political storm going on, Bhagwat message on the renewal of institutions and a change of generation can lose its message. The RSS chief viewed quitting as a selfless move that will guarantee organizational dynamism and with ancient wisdom. This is the beauty in our tradition, he pointed out indicating that it prevented stagnation.
Unanswered Questions
Although the BJP has officially quashed the theory that the words of Bhagwat are equal to those of Modi, there is no doubt that the words hit a sore spot. They occasion the unappealed question:
Does the Sangh have an unwritten dead line in the Modi rule?
Does the RSS have in mind any other role to Modi after 2025?
What will be the result of this perceived opposition between organizational philosophy and political reality?
