‘Our fight is for survival’: Delhi Gymkhana Club management assures staff jobs are safe
This reassurance came amid growing anxiety among nearly 600 employees; Many of them reported that they had received no official updates on the club’s future, wages or potential relocation plans since the government’s release last week.
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On Monday morning, a group of employees gathered at a small shrine to ‘Pir Baba’ opposite the club’s exit gate and prayed for a positive outcome as fears about livelihoods and job security deepened at the century-old institution.
Shortly after visiting the mausoleum, staff said they were informed by general committee members that legal and administrative efforts to protect the staff’s interests were ongoing.
“During the day, we received a call from club president Malay Sinha and director Kuldeep Chahal. They assured us that our concerns have been conveyed to the government through a special written note and discussions are ongoing. They said that staff welfare is given the highest priority to ensure that no employee suffers any adverse consequences,” Nandan Singh Negi, president of Gymkhana Employee Welfare Association, told PTI.
Negi added that the club management assured employees that the club would not be closed on June 5 and that their jobs were safe. Workers at the sprawling Safdarjung Road premises described an atmosphere of panic and constant speculation, with many saying they first learned of the development through news reports and frantic conversations among members rather than through official channels.
“We were not officially notified of the closure. Suddenly that day, all the members’ phones started ringing. As night fell, more members started coming to the club to discuss the order. We only learned about this through phone calls, news and conversations with others. Since that day, most of us have not slept well. We have families to support and homes to run,” said a club employee.
The Office of Land and Development under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has directed the club to transfer 27.3 acres of land by June 5, stating that the land is required for “urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure and public interest project”, including strengthening of defence-related infrastructure.
Despite the assurances, some employees stated that no written communication guaranteeing job security has yet been issued. They are also considering taking legal action if clarity on compensation and rehabilitation is not provided soon.
A staff member said, “We will wait until tomorrow, then we can take it to court. Our first demand is job security. If something happens, the employees should at least receive compensation.”
Also read: Delhi Gymkhana members to approach court against Centre’s eviction order
This development came as the Delhi Gymkhana Club moved the Delhi High Court challenging the Centre’s order to vacate the premises. The matter was referred to Justice Avneesh Jhingan by Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who requested an urgent hearing. The court agreed to hear the case on May 26.
Employees said many had devoted decades to working at the club and feared their lifelong partnerships would come to an abrupt end.
“Generations have worked here. Some employees’ children were born and raised around this institution. Such an old association cannot end in a day. Our struggle is to survive; we have families, parents and homes that depend on us,” said one worker.
Some long-term staff members claimed employee welfare measures had been weakened in recent years after government-appointed members joined the club’s general committee.
“Previously, there was mutual understanding between management and staff. But in recent years, things have gotten worse. Some employees have not received severance pay since 2022, bonuses have been reduced, bonuses have been cut, and the retirement age has been reduced from 62 to 60,” an employee said.
The 41-year veteran of the club, who will retire next year, said that young employees are especially troubled. “We are already close to retirement, but young workers are worried about what will happen to them and their families,” he said.
Workers also noted the club’s long-standing sporting infrastructure and questioned the logic behind the sudden takeover.
“We have grass tennis courts, hard courts, swimming pool and extensive sports infrastructure. If the government wants to expand sports infrastructure, why has nothing been done in the last five years?” asked an employee, referring to the passage of time since the directors appointed by the National Company Law Tribunal took office.
Delhi Gymkhana Club is located on one of the city’s most valuable and strategically important land parcels within the high-security administrative zone that is home to many important central government and defense establishments.
Founded during the British period, the club started operating in the region in 1913 under the name ‘Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club’. It was renamed the Delhi Gymkhana Club after India’s independence and the current structures were built in the 1930s.
