50 retired Armed Forces personnel appeal to PM Modi to save Delhi Gymkhana Club

The veterans said the club's closure would have "profound consequences" for its members, many of whom are retired defence personnel and public servants. They have sought a meeting with Modi and urged the government to explore alternatives while protecting the public interest.The concerns come amid the ongoing dispute between the Centre and the Delhi Gymkhana Club over its 27.3-acre premises on Safdarjung Road. (File Photo)Fifty retired Armed Forces personnel associated with the Delhi Gymkhana Club have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene against the proposed termination of the club’s perpetual lease, saying its closure would have “profound human consequences” for thousands of veterans and retired public servants.In a letter dated July 8, the veterans urged PM Modi to get in touch with the concerned ministry to reconsider the proposed closure and explore alternatives that could balance public interest with the welfare of those who have served the country. They said they respected the government’s authority to reclaim public land for genuine public purposes or national security and also acknowledged that the matter was pending before the Delhi High Court.Describing the Delhi Gymkhana Club as an institution with a long history of service to the country, the retired personnel said it had, over the decades, brought together soldiers, civil servants, diplomats, judges, academics, sportspersons and other distinguished citizens. They argued that the club was part of India’s institutional heritage and provided an important support network for physical well-being, emotional resilience and mental health.The veterans also requested a 15-20 minute meeting with the Prime Minister to personally present their concerns. The Land and Development Office (L&DO), which is handling the lease termination and eviction proceedings against the club, functions under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).WORKERS SEEK CLARITY ON JOBS AS CLUB FACES EVICTIONMeanwhile, the Delhi Gymkhana Workers' Association has sought clarity over the future of around 700 employees working at the club, questioning why the terms of two officials of a government-appointed committee were extended by a year when the club itself is facing eviction proceedings. In a letter to the club's general secretary and secretary, the workers' body said employees had not received any assurance about their jobs amid the uncertainty surrounding the club's future. It said that during a general committee meeting on August 8, it was announced that the terms of two officials of the government-appointed committee had been extended by one year. “If the club is at the verge of eviction, why have the terms of these officials been extended?” the association asked, while also seeking clarity on the future of its around 700 staff members.The workers' association had earlier appealed to Modi to ensure that the livelihoods of the employees were protected, saying many permanent and contractual workers came from middle- and lower-middle-income families and had been working at the club for more than a decade.The concerns come amid the ongoing dispute between the Centre and the Delhi Gymkhana Club over its 27.3-acre premises on Safdarjung Road. On May 22, the Land and Development Office (L&DO) under the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry ordered the club to vacate the property, invoking a clause in its 1928 perpetual lease deed to terminate the lease and initiate “re-entry and resumption” of the land.The Centre has maintained that the land is located in a strategically sensitive area and is required for national security, defence infrastructure and public utility projects. The government has also cited around Rs 47.58 crore in unpaid ground rent dues.The L&DO subsequently issued a show-cause notice to the club on June 29 under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act. The matter is pending before the Delhi High Court, which is hearing challenges to the termination of the lease. The next hearing is scheduled for September 3.The Centre has maintained that the eviction proceedings are being carried out in accordance with the law and that the estate officer is competent to proceed with the matter.- EndsPublished By: Priyanka KumariPublished On: Aug 11, 2026 16:22 IST