Members at Tardeo’s spiffy Willingdon Sports Club (WSC) had to blink twice as they peered through the glasses perched on their noses on Saturday morning, to confirm what they were reading. News reports stated that the Chief Minister will be able to nominate 50 life members to the Club, and three more annually, post the club’s lease being renewed. Soon, social media started whirring, with memes like “no paan rules at Willingdon soon” and “no chappals please on signboards at the club”. Members who spoke on the condition of anonymity stated they were reeling in shock. One member explained, “Those who apply for a membership here are subjected to rigorous screening and an interview. None of that screening or vetting will be held for these chosen few. This is simply not right.” 

Another member said, “There is talk that the club has given in too easily, not put up enough of a fight against this, yet what option does a club have? A gun is put to the head, or lease renewal is made conditional. I am too distressed and cannot say more.” An individual who got membership like many because previous generations were Willingdon members, stated, “Why is the life membership free? That is also bothering me. There are some Mumbai clubs that have offered government officials membership but it has been against a fee. The report about Willingdon speaks of free lifetime membership. This makes no sense at all.” Most members drew parallels with the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC), Willingdon’s neighbour across the road, which has been in the news. At least 120 acres of land on which the RWITC stands, is now with the state govt/BMC to be made into a public/theme park.