Mumbai's Khar Gymkhana Cancels Jemimah Rodrigues' Membership Over Her Father's 'Religious Activity'

Mumbai’s Khar Gymkhana has cancelled the membership of star Indian women’s cricket team player Jemimah Rodrigues. According to a report in Indian Express on Tuesday (October 22), the decision to remove her was taken at Sunday’s annual general body meeting.

As per Khar Gymkhana officials, the action was taken after some members objected to Jemimah father Ivan using the club premises for “religious activities” and alleged that events were organised to “convert” the “vulnerable.”.

“The honorary three-year membership given to Ms. Jemimah Rodrigues was revoked pursuant to a resolution passed by the members who attended the general meeting held on October 20, 2024,” Khar Gymkhana president Vivek Devnani was quoted as saying by 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,” Khar Gymkhana managing committee member Shiv Malhotra said.

“We hear about conversions all over the country, but it’s happening right under our nose. There was dancing, expensive music equipment, and big screens. As per Khar Gymkhana’s bye-laws, Rule 4A of the constitution, Khar Gymkhana does not permit any religious activity,” he added.

According to former Khar Gymkhana president Nitin Gadekar, he was informed about the “religious activity” by a staff member.

“Me, Malhotra, and a few other members went to see it. We saw the room was dark, trance music was playing, and a lady was saying, ‘He is coming to save us.’ I was surprised how Gymkhana can allow this in the first place. We protested, and it was decided to cancel her membership,” Gadekar said.

Jemimah, who participated in the recently concluded ICC Women’s T20 World Cup for the Women in Blue, was invited by the Khar Gymkhana in 2023 to be a member and use its facilities.

The 24-year-old cricketer is one of the best batters of present times. She has played over 100 T20Is for the 2020 T20 World Cup losing finalists and has impressed with her performances in all three formats of the game.