For years, the turf club, green activists and the public have fended off attempts by politicians and other parties with vested interests to take over the racecourse. There have been various pretexts under which these proposals have been made. One builder wanted to convert the racecourse space into a hotel complex. Another spoke about a parking lot. A different developer wanted permission to set up office towers. A proposal was made for a heliport in the midst of it.

Sometimes, the RWITC was blamed for being too elitist and preserving the space for a rich few, and other times, politicians suggested that the space is commercially under utilised. Little attention is paid to reiterations that the space is not elitist but open for all during certain times of the day — for walkers, joggers, children who play football in the middle and amateur riders who take lessons there. During polo season, polo matches are held in the interior, and these matches too are accessible to the common man.

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Yet, as Saturday night proved, it is vital to preserve this space for all of us. It is up to every citizen to ensure the city’s green jewel stays this way.