The Congress on Tuesday (November 3, 2026) attacked the Centre over its bid to reclaim the land on which the Indian Air Force Sports Complex is built, saying the Modi government’s actions are an “absolute disgrace” and show “utter disrespect” to the entire IAF family.
In his post, Mr. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh shared on X a media report which claimed that on October 26, days before his October 31 retirement, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh urged Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to protect the Indian Air Force (IAF)’s control of the prime land within the Race Course Air Force Station, near the Prime Minister’s residence, citing operational imperatives and the facilities located there.
Ramesh said, “The IAF Sports Complex has a long history and has, over the decades, served many public purposes, as well as being an integral part of the Indian Air Force social infrastructure.”
Ramesh added. Over the past several weeks, the government has initiated a review of prime land parcels near Lok Kalyan Marg through the L&DO with a view to reclaiming plots used for defence golf and sports facilities. The reclamation has been controversial in defence circles. It forced the cancellation of a farewell for the outgoing air chief. It was closed to members last month until further notice amid the government’s move to reclaim land allotted to the IAF.
The Land and Development Office (L&DO), operating under the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, issued eviction notices to the complex’s management, demanding the return of the land situated near the Prime Minister’s official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. HT reported it first on October 28.
“The Modi government’s actions are an absolute disgrace and show utter disrespect to the entire IAF family,” Mr.
The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry had earlier asked the entities concerned to hand over the land housing the Air Force Golf Course. Earlier reporting noted: The letter came against the backdrop of the Union housing and urban affairs ministry’s move to reclaim the sports complex. Earlier reporting noted: The Air Force Sports Complex (AFSC) was established in the 1940s.
Earlier reporting noted: Congress criticises reclamation of IAF sports complex Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday criticised the reclamation of a sports complex within the Race Course Air Force Station near the Prime Minister’s residence, on the day HT reported that Air Chief Marshal AP Singh wrote a letter ahead of his retirement urging defence minister Rajnath Singh to protect the Indian Air Force (IAF)’s control over it.
