“Delhi Gymkhana Dilemma”

The club reinforces the belief that people enjoying administrative or financial powers, receive preferential treatment over the less fortunately circumstanced.

The government in the L&DO has justifiably invoked Clause 4 of the lease deed, citing that land is urgently required for "defense infrastructure, strategic purposes, and public use”.

The club management approached the Delhi High Court to halt the eviction order.. While the court declined to issue an immediate stay, it provided temporary relief after the government’s No gym,only khana. The club reminds one of an autocracy,where the people enjoying political counsel assured that any eviction procedures would be carried out strictly "in accordance with law". The club has raised concerns regarding the livelihoods of its hundreds of its employees and the “fate” of its members who have paid large deposits

 Government’s right to issue eviction order cannot be questioned,Built in 1913 on public land, the L&DO  is the club’s owner. Sudden eruption of  security concerns after more than a century,is  disturbing. India's elite clubs have suddenly become uncomfortable. It is not about Delhi club alone but about all elite clubs across the country.Questions are being raised both by the government and those who denounce the infamous "club culture" for supporting privileges.

 The club has a chequered history of financial mismanagement and membership manipulations. The members include among others, retired bureaucrats ( largely from IAS,IPS and IRS),retired Armed Forces officers, powerful politicians and diplomats. The audit have pointed out grave financial irregularities. Is the club just a watering hole for the rich and powerful, one wonders?

   A word about national security. A former CIA officer Robert Baer claimed in his memoir recorded decades back that the elite Delhi club played a crucial role in  covert operations to obtain classified information. Is the practice still continuing?

 A K Saxena (Former civil servant)