Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, ex-RAW chief AS Dulat, former diplomat KC Singh, and historian Swapna Liddle were among the few to have commented on the issue.

The Delhi Gymkhana Club, one of national capital’s elite landmarks rooted in history, is in the crosshairs. The club, where the city’s powerful and elite rubbed shoulders for nearly a century, is staring at possible dislocation with the government asking it to vacate the land by June 5 citing “securing defence infrastructure”.

The expansive 27.3 acres, located at 2, Safdarjung Road in the heart of the capital, stands adjacent to the prime minister’s residence and flanked by the country’s most sensitive government establishments.

The news of the possible closure has triggered strong reactions, nostalgia and some backing government’s proposal.

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

‘Unfortunate, ‘racial bonding’, closed on ‘fictitious grounds’
Kiren Bedi made a case in favour of The Delhi Gymkhana Club, saying it was not just property, but institutional and sporting heritage. Calling the move “unfortunate and tragic”, the former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry said the club hosted some of the finest tennis matches, and carries “so much history, so many memories, and generations of sporting excellence are associated with this place.”

“Delhi Gymkhana, Golf Clubs etc all over the country run on free or subsidised huge land parcels provided by the babus ,for the babus and their cohorts only. Others have to wait for memberships till their grand children are born,” Chawla added.

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

Responding to Chawla’s assertions, former diplomat and strategic affairs expert KC Singh argued that such spaces provided sports facilities and reasonable meals to bureaucrats, who worked for lesser salaries than those in private sectors.

“That also insulated them from dependence on moneyed class, which seeks their goodwill,” Singh argued.

Historian Swapna Liddle argued that though the club started for elite British officials, it evolved with time admitting Indian members. While it cannot be denied that the institution was elitist, she said, the need should be to look into “how you can change it, and make it meaningful for more people.”