By Newstic Political Desk | September 11, 2025
A Birthday Wrapped in Politics
Wednesday began with the usual bustle of breaking news in India today live, but one story dominated headlines — Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public tribute to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who turned 75.
On paper, it was a birthday message. In tone, it was something more. Modi called Bhagwat a “living example of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — that Sanskrit phrase about the world being one family, often pulled into political speeches but rarely aimed so directly at a single leader.
And yet, beneath the greetings lurked the chatter everyone in Delhi’s corridors was whispering about: the so-called “75-year rule.”
RSS at 100, Bhagwat at 75
For the Sangh, this year carries double weight. The RSS completes a century in 2025, and its chief hits 75. Bhagwat, in charge since 2009, has been the face of the organisation’s expansion drive — building bridges outside Nagpur, holding dialogues with critics, and still keeping the familiar shakha routines alive.
Supporters like to describe him as quiet but firm. Not flamboyant like some politicians, but steady, carrying forward what the RSS sees as its long mission of cultural renewal.
So when Modi wrapped his tribute in words about unity and social harmony, it was not just birthday poetry. It was a signal — linking the BJP’s current political journey with its ideological parent at a moment when the country is gearing up for Indian elections 2025.
I extend my heartfelt Birthday Greetings to Param Pujniya Sarsanghchalak; Shri @DrMohanBhagwat Ji, on his 75th Birthday today.
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) September 11, 2025
Maa Bharti takes immense pride in a Son like you, who has devoted his entire life to serve the society and unifying the nation with the ideals of the… pic.twitter.com/ysx4DsjJvm
The 75-Year Question That Won’t Go Away
Of course, politics has a way of hijacking celebrations. The reason is simple: Bhagwat himself once floated the idea that leaders should step aside at 75 to make space for younger faces.
That remark, months ago, set off waves. Because who else is turning 75 next year? Modi.
The RSS later clarified, saying there is no binding rule, no “constitutional cutoff.” But the remark stuck. Opposition leaders pounced, pointing out that veterans like L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi were quietly benched once they crossed the same age. Why, they ask, should the yardstick shift now?
Congress leaders, never ones to miss an opening, sharpened the attack: “Advani ji was pushed aside, Joshi ji too. But for Modi ji? The rule suddenly vanishes?”
For the BJP, it’s tricky ground. They want Bhagwat’s birthday to be about reverence and legacy, not retirement whispers. Yet the number — 75 — hangs in the air, unavoidable.
Modi’s Message: More Than Greetings
If Modi chose his words carefully, it was for good reason. By calling Bhagwat a symbol of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, he tried to nudge the RSS image away from accusations of exclusivity and toward inclusivity.
That matters. With India news headlines already dominated by election talk, presenting the Sangh as a force of unity gives the BJP both ideological cover and electoral advantage.
Some analysts in Mumbai noted that Modi’s phrasing wasn’t casual. It stitched Bhagwat’s personal journey into the larger fabric of the RSS at 100 — as if to remind voters that this centenary is not just history, but a living, breathing part of India’s political DNA.
Opposition’s Counterattack
Naturally, the opposition wasn’t going to let the day slide by. Congress spokespersons framed the birthday as proof of double standards. “Rules for some, exceptions for others,” they said, pointing to Advani and Joshi again.
Others in the opposition hinted that the BJP is deliberately blurring the lines between cultural organisations and politics. “A birthday should not become a campaign event,” one Left leader remarked, though even he admitted that the Sangh’s centenary year will keep RSS in the news regardless.
With top news in India channels running live debates, the age question has once again entered the bloodstream of national politics.
Beyond the Delhi Bubbles
Outside the capital, the mood was less cynical, more celebratory. In Nagpur, the RSS headquarters, volunteers lit lamps and distributed sweets. A group of swayamsevaks in Mumbai organised a blood donation drive in Bhagwat’s name. In Patna, a prayer meeting was held, drawing local BJP leaders and RSS workers together.
Among them, there was little talk of retirement rules. For many, Bhagwat remains a figure of respect regardless of age. “We don’t see him as 75 or 80. For us, he is our guide,” said a middle-aged swayamsevak in Nagpur, brushing aside the controversy with a shrug.
But on social media, hashtags told a different story. #MohanBhagwat75 trended on X, alongside memes and sharp posts about the 75-year rule. It showed how layered the reactions were — reverence on the ground, political jabs online, analysis on TV.
Why It Matters
This is not just about one man turning 75. It’s about how India negotiates questions of leadership, succession, and ideological continuity.
- For the BJP, Bhagwat’s birthday is a chance to highlight discipline and continuity.
- For the Congress and opposition, it’s a moment to push the fairness debate.
- For the RSS, it’s a chance to reflect on 100 years of existence and re-examine how it stays relevant in a fast-changing society.
And for voters? It’s another reminder that age, symbolism, and politics are all intertwined as the countdown to the Lok Sabha election 2025 updates intensifies.
Closing Note
At the end of the day, birthdays are personal. But in Indian politics, personal milestones rarely stay private. Mohan Bhagwat’s 75th was never going to be just about cake and candles.
It became a stage — for Modi to underline ideology, for the opposition to question consistency, and for the Sangh to showcase longevity.
What it means for the months ahead is simple: expect the number 75 to come up again and again — in speeches, in interviews, in whispers of succession. And expect the RSS, as it enters its centenary, to remain firmly at the centre of India’s national news today India.
Because in this democracy, even birthdays carry political weight.
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