‘Tragic’ vs ‘long overdue’: Mixed reactions pour in on eviction notice for iconic Delhi Gymkhana club

The Delhi Gymkhana Club, an elite landmark in the national capital with historical roots, is in the crosshairs. The club, where the city’s influential and elite have coexisted for nearly a century, is eyeing possible disruption as the government asks it to vacate the ground by June 5 under the pretext of “securing defense infrastructure.”

This vast 27.3-acre project is located at 2 Safdarjung Road in the heart of the capital, adjacent to the Prime Minister’s Residence and surrounded by the country’s most sensitive government institutions.

News of the potential closure sparked strong reactions, nostalgia and some supporters of the government’s proposal.

Also Read: ‘If you send him somewhere else…’: After a century in power, Delhi Gymkhana Club ordered eviction

Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, former R&AW chief AS Dulat, former diplomat KC Singh, former IAS KBS Sidhu, historian Swapna Liddle and Supreme Court lawyer Sanjay Hegde were among the few who commented on the issue.

Political leaders have also focused on the issue and remain divided in their opinions.

She added: “Change may be necessary, but history and legacy deserve to be preserved in a thoughtful manner.”

Veteran journalist Prabhu Chawla opined that a government-funded or supported institution and club cannot be allowed to have restricted and selective use of its facilities.

“Delhi Gymkhana, golf clubs and others across the country operate on huge free or subsidized plots of land provided by the babus for the babus and their colleagues only. The others have to wait for membership till their grandchildren are born,” Chawla added.

In a separate post, he said such clubs were set up by Britons for “exclusive racial social bonding.”

Responding to Chawla’s assertions, former diplomat and strategic affairs expert KC Singh said such places provide gym facilities and reasonable meals to bureaucrats, who work for lower salaries than workers in the private sectors.

“It has also isolated them from dependence on the affluent class, which seeks their goodwill,” Singh said.

Although the club was started for elite British officials, it evolved over time to accept Indian members, historian Swapna Liddell said. She said that while it could not be denied that the institution was elitist, the need should be to look at “how can you change it, make it meaningful to more people.”

“For me, it’s the passing of an institution. Any old building or any old institution in the city that leaves, I feel sad,” Liddell added.

AS Dulat, who led the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) and later served as advisor to the prime minister on Kashmir affairs, said the club was home to many people, especially senior citizens in the capital.

“For a lot of people, elderly people who have spent their whole lives here, it has become a home — it’s like a temple,” he said.

“There is no compensation or settlement on this. You either have a club or you don’t have a club. Most of the people who come to the club are within walking distance. If you send the Gymkhana elsewhere, the Delhi Gymkhana will not remain,” said Dulat, who also served as the club’s former president.

Supreme Court lawyer Sanjay Hegde drew a parallel with the Patna Golf Club, saying former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav had tried to take over the Patna Golf Club, adding: “He is long gone from power but the club continues.”

He added, “The overthrow of elite strongholds by populist leaders is a game as old as humanity itself.”

AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj also joined the Congress in attacking the BJP, calling it a “dictatorial move”.

“Since the BJP government came to power, they have only displaced people, not resettled or rehabilitated anyone. Earlier, it was the turn of the poor, so the rich were not bothered much. Then it was the turn of shopkeepers, so salaried employees did not feel affected. Now, it is the turn of senior officials, professionals, people who go to clubs. Everyone’s turn will come eventually,” Saurabh Bharadwaj said.

Shiv Sena leader Dr Abhishek Verma said the move was not just an administrative decision, but a “long overdue correction to Delhi’s most notorious drawing room system”.

“For nearly 27 to 30 years my family lived opposite the Gymkhana Club, in the Government Bungalow, 4 Safdarjung Road. My late father Shrikant Verma and my late mother Veena Verma were members of Parliament, yet neither I nor they ever found this sick place worthy of becoming members,” he said in a personal note.

“For decades, these places served as private republics with inherited privileges, where titles mattered more than merit, access was treated like lineage, and public lands became the comfort zone of a self-appointed elite,” he added.