Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have to stomach the 'digs' of retirement at 75 as he himself suitably used the same criterion to ease-out giants L K Advani, M M Joshi and Jaswant Singh from key positions in the party and also the government.
In essence, Vanaprastha (retirement stage) is a period of transition and introspection, preparing individuals for the ultimate goal of liberation (Moksha) in the Hindu culture.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement has rightly triggered speculation and social media postings including from Opposition trying to take potshots at Modi.
The fact of the matter is health-wise the Prime Minister looks superb and he is the principal vote catcher for BJP and the NDA. So no one can impose any such rule on Narendra Modi.
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However, Mohan Bhagwat's remarks : “When you turn 75, it means you should stop aside now and make way for others" - is not stated without any purpose.
Both Bhagwat and Modi will turn 75 this September -- the Prime Minister on Sept 17th and the RSS chief six-day before on September 11th. But there is also another statement - attributed to RSS chief himself. “An exception proves the rule." Bhagwat had said around 2020 when he met some pro-right wing writers and columnists on the same pertinent question that whether PM Modi would retire when he turns 75.
As of today's polity and sound physical conditions of both Modi and Bhagwat, neither will hang up boots in September 2025.
But the debate may soon lead to another vital discussion -- should Modi shift to Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2027 !!! The Prime Minister will turn 77 when India has to elect its next President.
So perhaps that debate has been kicked off by Bhagwat indirectly. In 2022, one idea was circulated briefly to have RSS chief as India's President; but bringing up first tribal-woman President was seen as a smarter card.
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But Bhagwat’s statement should also be seen as an attempt by the RSS to tighten its hold over the BJP.
The election of new BJP president is pending and it has not been finalised essentially because a cold war is on between Nagpur and PM Modi-Amit Shah duo. Incumbent BJP national president J P Nadda had snubbed Arvind Kejriwal in 2024 when the then Delhi CM said Modi will have to retire by September 2025.
This was also seen in the media as an "insider" work from Uttar Pradesh. No wonder, BJP did poorly in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
As for RSS swayamsevaks, no 'sarsanghchalak (RSS chief)' has stepped down at 75.
Key RSS chiefs Balasaheb Deoras, Rajju Bhaiyya and K S Sudarshan, all relinquished the post only due to health concerns.
Rajju Bhaiyya and Sudarshan announced their retirements because of their frail health when they were 78 years old.
Balasaheb Deoras remained chief of the RSS until 1994 till the age of 79. He also stepped aside on health grounds.
In Hindu culture there is a clear tradition of retirement - Vanaprastha.
It is a key and the third of the four stages of life traditionally associated with a gradual retirement from worldly life and a focus on spiritual pursuits.
It literally means "retiring to the forest".
In this stage, individuals including Kings begin to detach from material possessions and responsibilities, sharing their wisdom and experience while preparing for the final stage of renunciation.
Pandavas were glaring examples. After leading entire life of struggles and warfare, Pandavas did not stay in power for long. It is said that King Yudhisthir ruled only for 36 years (considered a brief spell according to those era) and along with wife Droupadi left for Vanaprastha leaving the throne of Hastinapur Parikshit, Arjuna's grandson.
The real debate should be who will be Modi's Parikshit !!
Speculation is rife about Amit Shah, who turned 60 in April. Another key player will be Yogi Aditynath. He was the most underestimated protagonist in power in 2017 when the chief ministership in Uttar Pradesh was blessed upon him.
But he has ended up being one of the most performing chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh and a highly successful one at the national level. Like Modi, Yogi is also extremely popular among core BJP supporters but he does not have RSS background.
But Nagpur could easily back him.
So in 2027 - an easy formula could be Modi becoming President and Shah may become Prime Minister. At least the present trends suggest Amit Shah is the most trusted compatriot of Modi.
And Yogi may join the Union cabinet.
But both the BJP and the RSS have never handled any succession stories so cool.
The grand success of Operation Sindoor has rekindled a debate on whether Defence Minister Rajnath Singh deserves an elevation to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
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