Retirement age debate: Congress takes dig at RSS and BJP, says, "Bend it for Bhagwat, ignore for PM"

Taking a sharp dig at the Rashtriya Svayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat of "bending retirement at the age of 75." 

Taking to X, Congress MP from Virudhunagar, Andhra Pradesh, Manickam Tagore shared a social media post saying that the "famous 75-year rule is not a principle, just a tool." 

He stated, "Advani ji at 75: "Rule is rule, step aside." Murali Manohar Joshi ji at 75: "Rule is rule, retire gracefully." Mohan Bhagwat Ji at 75: Modi writes poetry on wisdom and trust." 

Advani ji at 75: “Rule is rule, step aside.”

Murali Manohar Joshi ji at 75: “Rule is rule, retire gracefully.”

Mohan Bhagwat ji at 75: Modi writes poetry on “Wisdom & Trust.”

So the famous 75-year retirement rule is not a principle, just a tool.
Apply it to Advani ji & Joshi…

— Manickam Tagore .B????????மாணிக்கம் தாகூர்.ப (@manickamtagore) September 11, 2025

Manickam added, "So the famous 75-year retirement rule is not a principle, just a tool. Apply it to Advani Ji and Joshi ji. Bend it for Bhagwat Ji. Ignore it for Modi himself." 

The Congress MP went on to say that the praise showered by PM Modi for Bhagwat is an "insurance policy" for himself. He said, "This is not respect, this is sycophancy. A long essay in praise of Bhagwat Ji is nothing but Modi's insurance policy - a message to Nagpur: Don't apply 75 to me in 2025." 

Adding, "The hypocrisy is breathtaking. For BJP founders - retirement. For Nagpur boss - celebration. For Modi - exemption. Principles are meant for all, but in Modi's politics, principles are disposable. Convenience first, conscience never." 

PM Modi showered praises on Mohan Bhagwat as the RSS Chief celebrated his 75th birthday on Thursday. Penning down his thoughts, the Prime Minister stated that Bhagwat's tenure as RSS Chief "will be considered the most transformative period" in 100 years of the organisation. 

“मोहन भागवत जी ने वसुधैव कुटुंबकम के मंत्र से प्रेरित होकर समता-समरसता और बंधुत्व की भावना को सशक्त करने में अपना पूरा जीवन समर्पित किया है।”

मां भारती की सेवा में सदैव तत्पर मोहन जी के 75वें जन्मदिन के विशेष अवसर पर मैंने उनके प्रेरक व्यक्तित्व को लेकर अपनी भावनाएं रखी हैं। मैं…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 11, 2025

He wrote, "Being sarsanghchalak is more than an organisational responsibility. Extraordinary individuals have defined this role through personal sacrifice, clarity of purpose, and unshakeable commitment to Maa Bharti. Mohan ji, in addition to doing full justice to the enormity of the responsibility, has also brought to it his own strength, intellectual depth, and empathetic leadership, all of which are inspired by the principle of nation first." 

The PM added, "Broadly speaking, Bhagwat Ji's tenure will be considered the most transformative period in the 100-year journey of the RSS. From the change in uniform to the modifications in the shiksha vargs (training camps), several significant changes occurred under his leadership." 

Earlier, Bhagwat had rested all speculations of PM Modi retiring as he will turn 75 this year on September 17th. Speaking at the "100 years journey of Sangh - New Horizon", he had said, "No bar on a family person becoming RSS Chief, but the person needs to devote all his time to the organisation. I never said I would retire or that someone else should retire at the age of 75."  

The Opposition has constantly criticized the BJP for its policy of not fielding any candidate above 75 years of age. In 2019, Home Minister Amit Shah had said that his party had made a decision not to give tickets to candidates older than 75, following which senior leaders like LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi missed out.