3 weeks ago
Retired Officers Urge Modi to Intervene on Gymkhana Club Closure
There is a club in Delhi called the Delhi Gymkhana Club where retired soldiers and government workers like to meet.
The government has asked the club to close and give back its land.
Fifty retired army officers have written a letter to Prime Minister Modi asking him to stop the closure.
Many club members are old veterans in their 70s and 80s, and for them the club is like a second home.
Some members have lost their husbands or wives, and going to the club helps them feel happy because they can meet friends.
The retired officers say the club is not just for rich people, since most of its defence members are veterans.
They say many veterans cannot afford homes in Delhi, so the club is very important to them.
The officers admit that the government has the right to take back public land when it is needed.
But they want the government to think about veterans' welfare before making a final decision.
A court in Delhi is now looking at the case.
Fifty retired Armed Forces officers wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to intervene against the proposed closure of the Delhi Gymkhana Club.
The Centre terminated the club's perpetual lease in a 22 May notice and issued a fresh eviction notice under the Public Premises Act on 29 June.
The letter, given on 8 July, warns that the closure would have profound human consequences for thousands of veterans and retired public servants.
Nalin Kohli, a non-government member, said more than 2,000 defence officers are members, with the majority being veterans who see the club as a social lifeline.
The signatories acknowledge the government's authority to reclaim public land but urge the ministry to reconsider the closure and explore alternatives; the matter is before the Delhi High Court.
- Who
- Fifty retired Armed Forces officers of the Delhi Gymkhana Club, who wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi; Nalin Kohli, a non-government club member, also spoke on their behalf.
- What
- The retired officers asked Modi to intervene against the proposed closure of the Delhi Gymkhana Club after the Centre terminated its lease and issued an eviction notice.
- Where
- New Delhi, India, regarding the Delhi Gymkhana Club's 27.3-acre premises.
- When
- The letter was given on 8 July; the Centre terminated the club's perpetual lease on 22 May and issued a fresh eviction notice on 29 June.
- Why
- To preserve the club as a social lifeline for thousands of veterans and retired public servants who depend on it after retirement.
Club supporters and veterans
Government / Centre
Fate of the Delhi Gymkhana Club
Club supporters and veterans
The club should be preserved because it is an Indian institution and a social lifeline for thousands of veterans and retired public servants; the letter urges the ministry to reconsider the closure and explore constructive alternatives.
Government / Centre
The government has terminated the club's perpetual lease and issued eviction notices under the Public Premises Act, exercising its authority to reclaim public land.
Public image of the club
Club supporters and veterans
The public image of the Gymkhana as an elitist institution misses the retired officers who make up the majority of its membership, many of whom live on pensions in smaller homes outside Delhi.
Government / Centre
The club is publicly seen as an elitist institution, and the government holds authority to reclaim the land for genuine public purposes or national security, which the letter itself acknowledges.
Key facts
- Club
- Delhi Gymkhana Club
- Premises
- 27.3 acres
- Lease termination notice
- 22 May
- Deadline to hand over premises
- 5 June
- Eviction notice (Public Premises Act)
- 29 June
- Letter to PM Modi given on
- 8 July
- Signatories
- 50 retired Armed Forces officers
- Legal status
- Matter before the Delhi High Court
Quotes
Nalin Kohli
Member of the Delhi Gymkhana Club and retired officer
““Now that they have retired, they are senior citizens and pensioners. This is a very important social place for them because now they have time to go to the club. Many of them have lost their life partners; for them it is all the more important and therapeutic that they go and meet their friends. There are more than 2000 defence officers; The majority of them are veterans.””
theprint.in
““For senior defence and civilian officers in their 70s and 80s, this club is like a second home.””
theprint.in
Sources
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