Tharoor Calls Out "Racist Provisions"
Congress Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor has publicly condemned Mumbai's exclusive Breach Candy Club, citing its "racist provisions" that grant control to Europeans. Tharoor's strong remarks come as the club, officially known as the Breach Candy Swimming Bath Trust, operates on government land while maintaining a governance structure that has sparked widespread criticism.
"There is absolutely no acceptable justification for a racist provision to survive on government land," Tharoor stated, responding to a social media query. He dismissed arguments that the club's constitution necessitates such rules, emphasizing, "To say the club’s constitution requires it is ridiculous. What about our country’s constitution?"
The Breach Candy Club's Controversial Constitution
Founded in 1878 as a facility exclusively for European residents of Bombay, the Breach Candy Club gradually opened its doors to Indian members in the 1960s following India's independence and subsequent public pressure. However, its core power structure remained largely unchanged. A constitution approved by the City Civil Court in 1967 continues to categorize members, reserving trustee and managing committee roles exclusively for "European inhabitants of Bombay."
Despite paying substantial membership fees, reportedly exceeding ₹1.2 crore for some, and enjoying full access to its luxurious facilities, the club's approximately 4,000 ordinary members—now predominantly Indian citizens—lack voting rights in trustee matters and are barred from holding governing positions. This structure ensures that real authority over governance, admissions, finances, and policy remains with a select group of European trust members.
A Symbol of Exclusivity and Privilege
The Breach Candy Club is one of Mumbai's most prestigious institutions, known for its extensive waiting list that can span over a decade. It occupies a prime four-acre seafront plot on Bhulabhai Desai Road in South Mumbai, offering stunning views of the Arabian Sea. Among its notable features is a large outdoor saltwater swimming pool uniquely shaped like the map of undivided British India, alongside well-maintained tennis courts and a sea-facing restaurant.
The club's membership comprises some of Mumbai's most elite families, prominent businesspersons, and diplomatic families, embodying a rare example of old-world leisure in a city where land is a scarce commodity. Tharoor himself has recounted being denied entry to the club as a child, despite being invited by a foreign host, highlighting its historical exclusivity.
Broader Debate Amid Delhi Gymkhana Row
Tharoor's condemnation of the Breach Candy Club gains additional traction amidst an ongoing controversy surrounding the Delhi Gymkhana Club. The Delhi club, a century-old institution located in Lutyens' Delhi, recently received an eviction notice from the government, which cited an urgent need for the prime land to ensure safety and security in the area. This development has ignited a broader social debate across India regarding the legacy, exclusivity, and land-use privileges of such elite clubs, bringing institutions like Breach Candy Club into renewed public scrutiny.