75 and Still in Charge? Mohan Bhagwat Says RSS Asked Him to Continue Despite His Age

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said the Sangh had asked him to continue working despite his age, while stressing that he would step down from the post whenever the organisation directs him to do so. He was responding to questions during an interactive session with attendees in Mumbai at a programme to mark the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) centenary. Bhagwat had turned 75 last September, often referred to as the unofficial retirement age in the camp."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."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 added.

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The RSS does not have community-based representation, and volunteers rise through ranks based on their work, Bhagwat said, adding that the RSS chief has to be a Hindu, irrespective of caste. He pointed out that when the RSS was founded, its work began in a Brahmin-dominated community and hence, most of its founders were Brahmins, which led to the organisation being labelled as a Brahmin outfit at the time.The RSS chief spoke on several issues, including the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Bhagwat said that UCC should be framed by taking everyone into confidence and must not lead to divisions. "It shouldn't create divisions. In Uttarakhand, three lakh suggestions were made and after talking to all stakeholders, the act was passed," he said.Asked whether "achche din" (good days) for the RSS came after the BJP came to power, Bhagwat said it was the "other way round", noting the Sangh had remained committed to the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya and those who supported it benefitted. "Achche din for us didn't come because of the BJP... it is the other way round. We remained committed to Ram Mandir construction. Those who supported us benefitted."On the long-pending demand for Bharat Ratna for Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar, Bhagwat said the award's prestige will rise if conferred on him. On the recent India-US trade pact, Bhagwat said he hasn't gone into the details.'' It is true that we can't remain in isolation. In deals, there is give and take. It should be win-win...we have to ensure we are not at a loss," he maintained.Several prominent personalities were present at the event, including actors Raveena Tandon, Vicky Kaushal, Ananya Panday, filmmakers Karan Johar, Madhur Bhandarkar, Ramesh Taurani and musician Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar.