Mumbai: Students, residents and civil society groups protested at Azad Maidan on Monday the handover of the 115-year-old Wilson College Gymkhana at Marine Lines to Jain International Organisation and demanded that the historic ground be returned to the college or preserved as a public open space.They said the gymkhana had long served as a rare recreational space for both Wilson College students and residents of densely populated Girgaum. “This gymkhana belongs to Wilson College and must be returned to it. All our sports activities are now shifted to Mumbai University grounds,” said Samrat Paul, a BSc student. Kanhaiya Lahoti, a BAF student, said cramped campus facilities had made it difficult to train or organise competitions. Cyril Dara, convener of Wilson College Gymkhana Bachao Samiti, said the agitation was aimed at protecting sports infrastructure, heritage spaces and public open grounds in the city. In March 2024, a govt resolution was issued allotting the land to the Jain outfit. —Mahiyar Patel
