New Delhi’s Gymkhana Club, a colonial-era institution dating back more than a century, is facing potential eviction by the central government amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign to eliminate remnants of British colonial influence in India. The government recently asked the club to explain why it should not be evicted, citing public interest and national security concerns.

Located on government-owned land in the heart of Delhi, the Gymkhana Club occupies roughly 27 acres, featuring expansive lawns, two swimming pools, a library, and numerous tennis courts, including those used in professional circuits. Initially established as a whites-only social club for British colonial administrators and their families, the Gymkhana has since evolved into a prominent gathering place for Delhi’s professional class, including civil servants, foreign service officers, and retired military personnel.

Government legal filings argue that the land is “critically required for strengthening and securing defense infrastructure,” justifying lease termination. However, several club members believe the eviction efforts are motivated by political aims to diminish the influence of Delhi’s traditional elite, whom Modi and his supporters have increasingly distanced from the country’s contemporary political landscape.

“The word ‘elite’ is being bandied about,” said businessman and frequent club user Abhishek Tankha. He described the targeting of the Gymkhana’s membership as a critique of a specific “westernized” segment of Indians who have not embraced Modi’s political vision. Tankha, a former BJP member, expressed pride in the club despite the ongoing government pressure.

Modi, now serving his third term as prime minister, has framed his campaign against colonial-era symbols as part of a broader effort to overcome a “slave mentality” and reshape India’s identity. His administration has actively pursued the removal or repurposing of other colonial landmarks in Delhi, including the Jaipur Polo Ground and portions of the Secretariat buildings, which are set to be converted into a national museum. Modi has articulated a vision of a “developed India” free from colonial-era legacies.

Supporters of the government’s position argue that institutions like the Gymkhana are relics of a feudal system inconsistent with contemporary India’s needs. Former BJP parliamentarian Rakesh Sinha described the club as out of place in a capital where many citizens struggle with basic housing.

Conversely, critics contend that the government’s approach unfairly dresses up longstanding institutions with a colonial label, ignoring their evolution over decades. Historian Suvipa Liddle noted that many such institutions have been adapted to Indian contexts over time and that India has a history of gradually redefining colonial legacies rather than erasing them outright.

The debate over the Gymkhana Club illustrates broader tensions in India’s process of post-colonial identity formation. Since independence in 1947, India has Indianized a variety of cultural elements—from city names to traditional attire—often engaging in contentious discussions over national heritage. Modi’s government has accelerated these efforts, now also focusing on symbols associated with Muslim rule.

For members of the Gymkhana, the threat to the club is deeply personal. Urmila Gupta, an 82-year-old member since 1964, lamented the possibility of losing what she called a “second home,” highlighting the club’s historic reputation and cultural significance. Younger users like furniture designer Amman Singh, who grew up playing tennis there, questioned the government’s rationale for the eviction, acknowledging the club’s exclusivity yet dismissing notions that it is elitist.

A hearing on the club’s future is scheduled for later this month, with uncertainty surrounding whether the Gymkhana will survive as a vestige of India’s colonial past or be overtaken by the country’s efforts to redefine its postcolonial identity.