Jemimah Rodrigues with her father Ivan. (Photo via Jemimah Rodrigues’ X)
Ivan Rodrigues, the father of Indian women’s team star Jemimah Rodrigues, has addressed reports that Khar Gymkhana had cancelled her membership because of him using the club premises for “religious activities”.
Khar Gymkhana had made the decision to cancel Jemimah’s membership at Sunday’s annual general body meeting. The Indian Express had quoted Khar Gymkhana officials as saying that the action was taken when some members objected to Ivan using the club premises for “religious activities” and alleging that events had been organised to “convert” the “vulnerable”.
Ivan admitted that he had used Khar Gymkhana facilities for prayer meetings on multiple occasions since April 2023. But he argued that no rules were violated.
“In light of the recent and erroneous reports doing the rounds in the media, we would like to put on record a few facts. We had availed of the facilities at the Khar Gymkhana for the purpose of prayer meetings on multiple occasions, over a period of a year since April 2023. However, this was done in complete accordance with the procedures that Khar Gymkhana have in place, and in full knowledge of the office bearers. The prayer meetings were open to all and were in no way ‘conversion meetings’ as is wrongly labelled in articles in the media,” Ivan posted in a note on his social media account.
Ivan went on to add: “When we were told to stop conducting the prayer meetings, we respected the stance of the Gymkhana and did so with immediate effect. When informed about the difference in rates for members and guests, we readily cleared the arrears. We are honest, law-abiding people who are grateful that we can practise our faith without it being a cause of inconvenience to anyone else. To then be the subject of false claims and misinformation is disheartening. We have and continue to wish only the best for everyone.”
Khar Gymkhana managing committee member Shiv Malhotra had earlier told The Indian Express: “We came to know that Jemimah Rodrigues’s father was attached to an organisation called Brother Manuel Ministries. They booked the presidential hall for almost a year and a half and held 35 events. We all know what was happening there… We hear about conversions all over the country, but it’s happening right under our nose. There was dancing, expensive music equipment, big screens. As per Khar Gymkhana’s bye-laws Rule 4A of the constitution, Khar Gymkhana does not permit any religious activity.”
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