‘Retirement from work will never happen’: Mohan Bhagwat says RSS asked him to continue after turning 75

NEW DELHI: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said the organisation had asked him to continue working despite completing 75 years of age, adding that he would step down whenever the Sangh directs him to do so.

Speaking during an interactive session at an event marking the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s centenary, Bhagwat said there is no election for the post of RSS chief and appointments are made by regional and divisional heads.




“There is no election to the post of RSS chief. Regional and divisional heads appoint the chief. Generally, it is said that after turning 75, one should work without holding any post,” Bhagwat said.

He added that after informing the organisation about turning 75, he was asked to continue.

“I have completed 75 years and informed the RSS, but the organisation asked me to continue working. Whenever the RSS asks me to step down, I will do so, but retirement from work will never happen,” he said.

RSS chief must be Hindu, caste not a criterion

Bhagwat said the RSS does not follow community-based representation and that volunteers rise through the ranks based on their work. He asserted that the RSS chief will always be a Hindu, irrespective of caste and the post goes to the best available candidate.

“If I were to choose a chief, I would go by the ‘best available candidate’ criterion,” he said, adding that belonging to the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe communities is not a disqualification, just as being a Brahmin is not a qualification.

Organisation focuses on values, not campaigning

The RSS chief said the organisation’s work was about inculcating “sanskar” or values, and not campaigning.

“Excessive campaigning leads to publicity and then arrogance,” he said, adding that publicity should be measured and timely.

In a lighter remark, Bhagwat said the Sangh “extracts work till the last drop of blood from its volunteer” and that there has never been a situation where someone had to be retired.

Language and anti-corruption stance

Bhagwat said English would never be the medium of communication for RSS functioning as it is not an Indian language, though it is used where necessary.

He also said the RSS works geographically and does not target any caste or community.

On corruption, Bhagwat said the RSS supports anyone fighting it. “Our volunteers are told to support those who fight corruption,” he said, adding that corruption lies in people’s minds, not the system.

He also urged people to detect and report illegal infiltrators to authorities and said caste-based reservations should continue “as long as needed,” while stressing the need for social unity.
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