The Delhi Gymkhana Club on Saturday informed its members through a notice that it has sought an urgent meeting with officials from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs after the Union government directed the club to hand over its 27.3-acre premises to the Land and Development Office (L&DO) by June 5.
The club is located in central Lutyens’ Delhi, next to the Prime Minister’s residence on Lok Kalyan Marg. Founded in 1913 as the Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club, the club was renamed after independence and remains one of the oldest institutional clubs for the elite in the country.
What the Delhi Gymkhana Club said was ordered by the government
The club said in a statement issued on Saturday that it looked forward to ensuring that work continues without interruption and requested an urgent meeting with officials from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
The secretary said the members decided to send a letter to the department’s Land and Development Office (L&DO) as the matter concerned both members and staff associated with the club.
“In accordance with the sudden development, the Board of Directors met today on an urgent basis and after detailed deliberations decided to write an immediate response to the L&DO seeking clarification on several issues that are in the interest of the members and employees of the club,” the in-charge secretary said in a statement.
“The communication also requests an urgent appointment for GC members to meet with Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs officials. The GC’s immediate priority is to ensure that the club’s operations continue without interruption. Further developments will be communicated after receiving a response,” the statement read.
Delhi Gymkhana Club is one of the oldest and most prominent clubs in India. The club moved to its present headquarters in 1913 and operated under the name ‘Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club’, with Spencer Harcourt Butler becoming its first president.
After India’s independence in 1947, the word ‘Imperial’ was removed, and the club became known as the Delhi Gymkhana Club.
Why did the Center order the club to evacuate its headquarters?
The order, signed by Deputy Land and Development Officer Suchit Goyal, states that the property falls within a “highly sensitive and strategic area” in the national capital and is essential for enhancing defense facilities and public security requirements, HT reported earlier.
“The land is necessary to meet urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure and public interest projects, integrated with resumption of adjacent government land,” the L&DO order issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said.
The order also said that after re-entry, the entire plot of land, including all buildings, structures, lawns and fixtures on the premises, would come under the complete ownership of the President of India.
She also said that if the club does not meet the deadline, the property will be seized in accordance with the law.
With inputs from Soumya Chatterjee and agencies
