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India’s government orders takeover of exclusive Delhi Gymkhana Club
TL;DR
India's government has ordered the Delhi Gymkhana Club to vacate its premises within two weeks, citing urgent public interest for defense and security infrastructure. This move reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing efforts against elite institutions.
Key points
- India's government orders Delhi Gymkhana Club to vacate
- Deadline set for June 5
- Cited urgent public interest for defense infrastructure
- Club founded in 1913, historically exclusive
- Reflects PM Modi's push against elite institutions
Mentioned in this story
Delhi Gymkhana ClubNarendra Modi
India’s government has ordered one of the country’s most exclusive private clubs to vacate its premises in two weeks, underscoring the long-running push of the prime minister, Narendra Modi, against entrenched elite institutions.
The ministry of housing and urban affairs directed the Delhi Gymkhana Club to hand over its sprawling site in the heart of New Delhi by 5 June, citing urgent public interest requirements, including defence and security infrastructure.
Founded under British colonial rule in 1913 as the Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club, the institution has long been synonymous with the rich and the famous.
Once restricted to colonial elites under discriminatory entry rules that barred natives, it later evolved into a powerful networking hub for politicians, senior bureaucrats, judges and business figures after India’s independence in 1947.
The ministry said the land, adjacent to the prime minister’s residence, was “critically required for strengthening and securing of defence infrastructure and other vital public security purposes”, the Press Trust of India news agency reported, citing a government letter to the club’s secretary.
The move comes against the backdrop of a broader political shift since Modi first took office in 2014, positioning himself as a challenger to India’s traditional elites, including those associated with the opposition Congress party led by the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty.
Analysts say spaces such as the Delhi Gymkhana Club have seen their prominence erode under Modi’s populist politics.
The Hindu-nationalist premier has long sought to eliminate remnants of India’s colonial past by reshaping several key British-era relics with his own mega projects.
The club, which includes buildings close to 100 years old, remains one of the most sought-after memberships in the capital, with long waiting lists and a reputation as a hub of influence.
However, it has also been dogged by internal disputes and allegations of financial mismanagement in recent years.
Figures linked to Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata party have repeatedly accused its leadership of factionalism and poor governance.
Q&A
Why did the Indian government order the Delhi Gymkhana Club to vacate?
The government cited urgent public interest requirements for defense and security infrastructure as the reason for the order.
What is the history of the Delhi Gymkhana Club?
Founded in 1913 during British colonial rule, the club was initially exclusive to colonial elites and later became a networking hub for influential figures in India after independence.
When is the deadline for the Delhi Gymkhana Club to vacate?
The club has been ordered to vacate its premises by June 5.
