When the Bulldozers Came to Delhi
The Delhi Race Course has become history.
On Thursday morning, bulldozers descended on the historic venue, demolishing
the stables, Bookmakers’ Ring, Winning Post and other landmarks that had
witnessed generations of racing. The club’s failure to secure relief from the
courts finally cleared the way for the government to reclaim the land. What was
once a vibrant centre of Indian racing now lies in ruins, leaving behind
memories, questions and a warning for other race clubs.
By Sharan Kumar
Thursday morning was a cruel sight for anyone who has
been associated with the Delhi Race Course or Indian racing. Bulldozers moved
into the historic race course and, with astonishing speed, began erasing
landmarks that had been part of Delhi racing for generations. The gates were
cleared, the Bookmakers’ Ring was demolished, the stables came down and the
Winning Post, saddling enclosure and photofinish camera were swept away. The
remaining horses had to be moved out and, within hours, a place that had once
echoed to the sound of hooves and the excitement of racegoers was reduced to
rubble.
R Manjunath, who served for many years as a senior
stipendiary steward, described it as a deeply disturbing sight. The buildings
could be demolished in a day, he observed, but the memories, traditions and
legacy created over decades could not be erased so easily. That perhaps
captures the tragedy of the Delhi Race Course better than anything else. For
generations of owners, trainers, jockeys, officials and racing followers, these
were not simply buildings. They were part of their lives.
But the demolition was not sudden. It was the final
consequence of a dispute that had been allowed to drag on for years. The Delhi
Race Club had been locked in a battle with the government over renewal of its
lease, while litigation and stays allowed the existing arrangement to continue.
The club remained on some of the most valuable land in the capital, apparently
hoping that the status quo could be preserved indefinitely.
The opportunity to prepare for an alternative was not
fully used. When land was available at much cheaper prices and the club had
substantial reserves, there was an opportunity to secure another home for
racing. Instead, the club stayed put and continued its legal battle. By the
time the government became determined to reclaim the property, the choices had
become painfully limited.
With the lease having expired, an eviction notice
followed. The club failed to obtain relief from the lower court and the Supreme
Court subsequently refused to entertain its challenge. The courts have
repeatedly upheld the right of a lessor to recover possession when a lease
comes to an end, and the recent experience at Ooty had already provided a
warning about the difficulties of resisting possession proceedings after the
expiry of a lease.
The bulldozers were therefore not the beginning of the
Delhi story. They were its final chapter.
That is what makes the episode particularly relevant
to Bangalore. The Bangalore Turf Club had already encountered the same
uncomfortable reality in 2010 when its dispute with the government over the
race-course land reached the courts and the High Court ordered the club to
vacate in six months. The government had offered possibilities involving
alternative land and time for a transition, but instead of negotiating a
practical solution, the club chose litigation and maintained its claim over the
existing property. It eventually lost that battle, but racing survived because
the government did not immediately press the matter to its conclusion.
Around the world, famous race courses have disappeared
when governments decided that valuable urban land could serve a larger purpose.
Singapore ended racing after more than 180 years, while Macau also closed its
race course. Delhi's vulnerability was obvious because of its extraordinary
location, virtually opposite the Prime Minister's residence and within a
high-security zone. It was difficult to believe that such valuable land could
remain untouched forever.
Racing has also done little to build public support
for its survival. Too often, race clubs have remained insular and allowed
themselves to be seen primarily as centres of gambling rather than sporting
institutions. They have failed to communicate adequately that racing supports
breeders, trainers, jockeys, stable staff, veterinarians and thousands of
livelihoods. Nor have many clubs made their properties sufficiently useful to
the wider community.
The Royal Western India Turf Club provides a useful
contrast, with its race-course property also serving people who use it for
walking and recreation. Such a relationship gives a race course a life beyond
race days and creates a connection with the city around it.
Delhi's final race was not decided on the track. It
was decided by the expiry of a lease, years of uncertainty, failed attempts at
judicial protection and, ultimately, the government's determination to reclaim
its land.
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