Gymkhana Club takeover motivated by Govt greed, lack of democracy & destruction of institutions

1 day ago 14

Gymkhana Club takeover motivated by bureaucratic greed, lack of democratic instincts and destruction of institutions: Kapil Sibal, former Law Minister & Gymkhana Club lawyer, to Karan Thapar for The Wire. ......................................... In a hard-hitting and unremitting interview, the former Law Minister and former Human Resource Development Minister, Kapil Sibal, who is also one of the leading lawyers presenting the Gymkhana Club’s case in Court, has said that the government is seeking to acquire the Gymkhana Club not on the grounds it has argued in its letter of May 22, 2026 but for three other reasons i.e. “Bureaucratic greed, lack of democratic instincts and destruction of institutions”. He said: “It’s nothing to do with the alleged purpose which they have given in their notice or letter of 22nd May, 2026. The purpose is, I think, bureaucratic greed, lack of democratic instincts and destruction of institutions. These are the three reasons why they have done it. It’s nothing to do with public purpose.” He added in an interview to Karan Thapar for The Wire: “The purpose is malicious intentional takeover of an institution which is in existence since 1928, which serves a larger public purpose, which is part of the legacy, of the history, of Delhi itself.” Mr. Sibal said in his interview to Karan Thapar, who is also a member of the Gymkhana Club although Mr. Sibal is not: “They (the government) don’t want any functioning of democratic institutions in this country. Any areas where the so-called quote-unquote elite may not be in sync with the policies of this government. Any area where people can exchange ideas which ultimately might lead into opinions which may be antithetical to their point of view. They do not tolerate any form of democracy. They do not tolerate any institution which they perceive to be inconsistent with their view of life in India.” Asked specifically if the Gymkhana Club has a right to survive and exist, Mr. Sibal responded strongly in the affirmative. Asked if it has a right to survive and exist in its present 27 acre premises on Safdarjung Road, Mr. Sibal said: “Absolutely because it’s a perpetual lease”. Mr. Sibal strongly and forcefully argued that Section 4 of the lease, which the government is using to terminate the lease, does not apply because it’s an imperial clause which has been overtaken by India’s constitution of 1950. I will leave you to hear the interview for yourself. Mr. Sibal explains all the points that I have quoted above in great detail in the interview, including his reading of Section 4, which I have just referred to. Join The Wire's Youtube Membership and get exclusive content, member-only emojis, live interaction with The Wire's founders, editors and reporters and much more. Memberships to The Wire Crew start at Rs 89/month. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChWtJey46brNr7qHQpN6KLQ/join

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