August 30, 2025

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat brought clarity amid buzzing rumors about his comments on retirement age. Both Bhagwat and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are soon crossing 75 years, sparking talks about stepping down. But Mohan Bhagwat said, "I never said, 'I would, or someone (who is in a constitutional) post should retire at 75 years.'" He emphasized that it is the BJP's choice alone to pick its next leader. "If we were deciding (the BJP president), we would not have taken so long. Anyway, take your time," he said with a relaxed chuckle. During his three-day lecture series celebrating the RSS's 100 years, Bhagwat painted RSS as a colorful, "inclusive organisation" that lives by harmony. He answered a variety of questions on topics as different as Manusmriti, Artificial Intelligence, tariffs, caste, education, the national language, India’s partition, and illegal immigration with his usual candor. On the hot topic of holy temples, Bhagwat was clear. While the Ram Temple in Ayodhya had RSS involvement, the Kashi and Mathura temples did not. He said, "Kashi, Mathura and Ayodhya are important to Hindus and, if they request, our workers can join their movements, but the Sangh will not." A big statement on family size too! Bhagwat encouraged Indian families to have three children to keep the nation’s civilisation alive, quoting the population policy’s ideal of 2.1 children, which practically means three. He stressed, "Resources have to be managed too, so we must restrict it to three." Language is a spicy subject in India, and Bhagwat served his views with flair. He insisted Indians must know at least three languages — their mother tongue, their state's language, and one common link language that must be Indian, not foreign. He was quick to say RSS does not oppose English or other languages. "People should be free to learn as many languages as they can," he added. On caste and reservations, Bhagwat stood firm in support of constitutionally mandated reservations. On the caste system, he said, "Whatever is outdated is bound to go." Bhagwat didn’t shy away from the tricky issue of illegal immigration and religious conversions, pointing to them as key reasons behind demographic changes that concern many. He praised government efforts to stop infiltration but said society itself must also act. He made a bold statement on jobs: "Jobs should not go to illegal migrants but to our own people, including Muslims." In sum, Mohan Bhagwat’s speeches were peppered with strong messages, respect for tradition, and calls for unity. He invited people to discuss openly but made it clear the RSS stands for harmony, inclusion, and India's bright future.

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Tags: Mohan bhagwat, Rss, Bjp leadership, Retirement age, Population policy, Illegal immigration,