Never said I will retire, or someone else should, at 75: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to question on PM Modi

RSS event coordinator read out question that said, in as many words, that Bhagwat's statement at recent function "was seen as a reference to PM Narendra Modi”

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has qualified his statement about the idea of retiring at 75 years of age, which was widely seen as a reference to PM Narendra Modi.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat with other leaders of the organisation at an event to marks its centenary year, in New Delhi on Thursday, Aug 28. (PTI)

“At the Sangh fucntion in Nagpur, I was quoting a witticism by Moropant ji (senior Sangh leader Moreshwar Nilkanth Pingle aka 'Moropant') about how when someone gives you a ceremonial shawl at 75, you should think of retirement,” he said on Thursday, later adding, “I never said I will or someone else should retire.”

Bhagwat was responding to pre-submitted questions at a press conference in New Delhi, part of the RSS centenary events.

The event coordinator read out a question that said, in as many words, that his statement "was seen as a reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi”. In his response, the RSS chief did not name Modi.

PM Modi, who moved to the BJP after being a fulltime worker of the parent body RSS since his late teens, turns 75 this September 17. Bhagwat hits that age a week before that.

“We (RSS workers) are ready to retire anytime in life and we are ready to work as long as Sangh wants us to work,” Bhagwat said, “I cannot say I have completed 75 years, so I want to enjoy retirement benefits. There are no benefits in the Sangh. And even if I am 35, and told to sit at a desk, we do. We don't say, ‘I want this. I want to do this.' No. Not allowed."

“Anytime they can take this mantle and carry on. But they are very busy and their contribution is valuable, and they cannot be spared. I was the one who can be spared. So, this is not for retirement of anybody or myself,” he said.

After his earlier comments, the Congress had responded with mirth and the theory that Bhagwat was sending a signal to Modi. "But the Prime Minister can also tell the Sarsanghchalak that – he too will turn 75 on 11 September 2025… One arrow, two targets!” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh had posted.

The RSS chief also chose to respond to questions about whether the RSS decided who'll be the next BJP chief as JP Nadda continues to be on extension. “We do not decide that… If we were deciding, would it have taken so long?” he said.

He also asserted that the RSS and the BJP “can have differences of opinion” but have the same objectives.