Ivan Rodrigues, dad of Indian women’s cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues, has just spoken up about the drama around Jemimah losing her membership at Khar Gymkhana. The club decided to kick her out during their yearly big meeting, after some members griped that Ivan was using the club’s platform for what they called “religious stuff.”
Word spread that Khar Gymkhana members voiced discomfort about Ivan’s meetings. They believed these events had the purpose to convert people, which caused a lot of talk at the club. The gymkhana responded to these worries by ending Jemimah’s membership. This move led to public anger and drew attention from the media.
Ivan responded to the claims by saying he had set up prayer meetings at Khar Gymkhana since April 2023. He made it clear that the club’s management knew about these meetings and anyone could come if they wanted. “We didn’t break any rules,” Ivan said. He stressed that their get-togethers focused on prayer and community, not on converting people, which he felt the media had gotten wrong.
On social media, Ivan posted, “We used the Khar Gymkhana facilities to pray over the past year. When they told us to stop, we followed the club’s decision right away. We also paid the fees we owed for using the facilities.” He felt let down about being the target of what he called untrue claims and wrong information adding, “We’re truthful, law-abiding people who want to practice our faith without bothering anyone.”
Shiv Malhotra, a managing committee member of Khar Gymkhana, shared his thoughts on the matter. He said the club discovered Ivan’s link to a group called Brother Manuel Ministries. This group, Malhotra explained, had reserved the club’s presidential hall for about 18 months. During this time, they held many events. He expressed worry about these events.
Malhotra brought up Khar Gymkhana’s rules pointing to Rule 4A, which bans religious activities on the grounds. He said people worry more and more about conversion practices happening in different spots around the country. He added that the gymkhana wanted to steer clear of any situation that could cause similar problems in their community.
This dispute has started a bigger talk about finding a balance between personal religious beliefs and community rules. A lot of people are keeping an eye on how this issue plays out, as it brings up key questions about showing one’s faith in public places. Ivan has said again that he wants the best for everyone involved and hopes to clear up any mix-ups. He thinks everyone should be able to practice their beliefs in peace without worrying about pushback or being misunderstood.
As things move forward, both Ivan and Khar Gymkhana will stay in the public spotlight showing how tricky community relationships and personal rights can be in today’s world.