Who Will Be Narendra Modi's Successor? RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Responds

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday said it was for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP to deliberate and decide on his successor, Deccan Herald reported.

His remarks came during an interaction at the "RSS 100 Years: Saga of RSS - Envisioning the Way Forward" event in Chennai.

Responding to an audience query, Bhagwat said leadership matters within the BJP fall outside his organisation's domain. "Certain questions are out of my purview. So, I don't have any say in them. I can only wish well and nothing else. Who after Modi ji? That is for the BJP and Modi ji to decide," the English daily quoted the RSS Chief as saying.

The remarks have drawn attention as this is the second time in four months that Bhagwat has distanced himself from discussions surrounding succession in the BJP and the so-called unwritten rule on retirement at 75.

In August, he had clarified that he never suggested that he or anyone else should retire at 75, saying his earlier comments were made "in a different context." The conversation gained political significance after Modi turned 75 in September, prompting the BJP to reiterate that there is no age-based retirement rule in the party.

RSS Chief on Thiruparankundram Issue: Hindu Awareness 'Enough'

Bhagwat also addressed the ongoing Thiruparankundram controversy during the event. Referring to the recent unrest in Madurai during the Karthigai Deepam festival-where right-wing activists clashed with police after a dispute over lighting the ceremonial lamp-he said the "awakening of Hindus" in Tamil Nadu itself is sufficient to ensure a favourable resolution.

The issue escalated after the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court directed that the Karthigai Deepam lamp be lit atop the hill at the Subramaniya Swamy Temple. Justice G.R. Swaminathan issued the order while responding to a petition filed by a right-wing activist. However, government officials argued that the longstanding ritual mandates lighting the lamp at the Deepa Mandapam at the foothill, as has been practiced for several years.

Answering a question on whether the RSS planned to escalate the matter, Bhagwat said escalation may not be necessary since the case is now sub judice. "If the Thiruparankundram issue needs escalation, it will be done. But I don't think it needs to. Let the court resolve it. The awakening of Hindus in Tamil Nadu, I think, is enough to bring about the desired result," he said.

He added that RSS would act only based on guidance from Hindu organisations working in the state. "If at all escalation is needed, they will let us know, then we will think about it. I think this issue can be resolved here only, based on the Hindus' strength in the state," he said. Bhagwat also emphasised that the matter should ultimately be resolved "favourably for Hindus."

Political Temper Rises Over Impeachment Move Against Justice Swaminathan

Meanwhile, the controversy triggered political tremors in Parliament. Over 100 INDIA bloc MPs submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking to move an impeachment motion against Justice Swaminathan for his order directing temple authorities to light the lamp near a stone pillar located close to a dargah atop the hillock in Thiruparankundram.

Reacting sharply, Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the Opposition of engaging in "appeasement politics." Replying to the debate on electoral reforms in the Lok Sabha, Shah said it was unprecedented for MPs to target a judge over a judicial order. "This has never happened in all the years after independence that a judge is facing impeachment for delivering a judgment. They brought the impeachment to appease their vote bank," he said.

Shah also noted that the judge's order merely upheld the claimed custom of lighting the lamp at the hilltop, and expressed surprise that the Shiv Sena (UBT) had joined the petition.