The Central Government has asked Delhi Gymkhana Club located in Lutyens’ Delhi to hand over the premises by June 5. The government has said that this 27.3-acre plot is necessary to strengthen and secure the defense infrastructure. With this move, the danger of closure of this club, which was the meeting point of Delhi’s influential and elite class for almost a century, began to loom. This spacious premises, located at 2, Safdarjung Road, in the heart of Lutyens Road, Delhi, was leased to the Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club Limited (now known as Delhi Gymkhana Club Limited) for running a social and sports club.

The huge Delhi Gymkhana Club, located in the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi, is near the Prime Minister’s residence on Lok Kalyan Marg. The order issued by the Land and Development Office (L&DO) under the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry states that this complex, located in a very sensitive and strategically important area of ​​Delhi, is very important for strengthening and securing the defense infrastructure and other important purposes related to public safety.

What did Gymkhana Club say on the order?

Subsequently, on Saturday evening, the Gymkhana Club said it would write to L&DO seeking clarification on several issues related to the order of handing over the premises. In an official message sent to its members, the club said, ‘In view of the sudden development, the Gymkhana Club held a meeting today on an emergency basis and after detailed deliberations, decided to file an immediate reply to the L&DO seeking clarification on several issues in the interest of the club members and employees.’

It also said it has sought an urgent meeting with officials of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The club also said that its immediate priority is to ensure that the club’s operations continue without any disruption and that further developments will be shared once a response is received from the government. This step of the government has been criticized by various sections. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bhardwaj on Saturday alleged that the BJP-led government is displacing people one by one and eventually everyone’s turn will come.

Bhardwaj said, ‘Ever since the BJP government came to power, it has only displaced people and not rehabilitated anyone. Till now only the poor were being affected, so the rich were not much worried. He said that first the turn of shopkeepers came, hence it had no impact on salaried professionals and now the turn of senior officers and professionals visiting clubs has come. Eventually everyone’s turn will come.

Reaction from the President of Madras Gymkhana Club

Captain S., President of Madras Gymkhana Club in Chennai. Sheshadri said that the move by the Central Government to take over the Delhi Gymkhana Club to strengthen and secure the defense infrastructure is a very sad incident. Many members of Delhi Gymkhana Club said that this order is a shock for them and they will challenge it in court. In this matter, a member said that a government-appointed committee has been running the club for the last few years and the current management is not expected to challenge the eviction order in court. He said, ‘How can we expect the current club management to challenge this order when it is currently being run by a government-appointed committee? The members will have to file their own applications to challenge the government order.

What did the government write in its letter?

L & DO, in a letter written to the club secretary on Friday, May 22, said that this premises located at 2, Safdarjung Road was given on lease to Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club Limited for the specific purpose of running a social and sports club. It said that as part of the broader process of taking back the surrounding government lands, this land is required for immediate institutional needs, governance infrastructure and public interest projects. The order said, ‘The President of India, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause four of the lease deed, through the Land and Development Office, terminates the lease of the said premises with immediate effect and orders re-possession of the same.’

It said, ‘Upon such re-occupation, the entire plot of land of 27.3 acres, including all buildings, permanent structures, structures, lawns and appurtenances situated thereon, will pass to the lessor, i.e. the President, through the Land and Development Office.’

According to the order, the Land and Development Office will take possession of the premises on June 5. It said, ‘You are directed to hand over peaceful possession of the premises to the representatives of this office on the due date. In case of non-compliance, possession will be taken as per law.

A senior official of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said that most of the land allotted on lease to various institutions in Lutyens’ Delhi is owned by the Government of India, which can exercise its authority to take back the land citing security and other reasons in national interest.

This club was started in 1913

Delhi Gymkhana Club is situated on one of the most valuable and strategically important lands of the city. It is in a high security administrative area, where many major establishments related to central government and defense are located. Established during the British era, this club started operating from this venue in 1913 under the name of Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club. After India’s independence, it was renamed Delhi Gymkhana Club and the current structures were built in the 1930s. After the Central Government directed Delhi Gymkhana Club to vacate the premises by June 5, clouds of uncertainty began to loom over the future of about 600 employees of the club. Employees are worried due to lack of clarity regarding job security and further arrangements.

Employees fear losing their jobs

Employees say that they have not received any formal information from the management regarding future action. In this regard, an employee said that the employees came to know about this development recently and this order issued suddenly made them worried. He said, ‘No formal meeting has been held with the employees till now. Most of us are still waiting for clarity on what will happen to our jobs after June 5.

Those affected include long-serving employees who have maintained the club’s facilities for decades. At the same time, former IPS officer Kiran Bedi termed this move as sad and said that this institute is a part of the institutional and sports heritage of the city.