"The prayer meetings were open to all" - Jemimah Rodrigues' father Ivan rubbishes claims of holding conversion meetings at Khar Gymkhana
Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues' father Ivan has dismissed allegations that he used his daughter's membership at Khar Gymkhana in Mumbai to conduct conversion meetings at its premises. Responding to the controversy, Ivan stated that he only held prayer meetings, which were open to all.
Jemimah found herself in the news for the wrong reasons after news reports of Khar Gymkhana revoking her membership during its Annual General Meeting (AGM). Some reports claimed the decision was taken following allegations that Ivan used the club's premises for religious gatherings.
On Friday, October 25, Ivan broke his silence on the manner and issued an official statement, rubbishing all the allegations leveled against him. He said (as quoted by news agency PTI):
"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 labeled in articles in the media," Ivan added in his statement.
The Indian cricketer's father also stated that when asked to stop conducting the prayer meetings, he followed the orders and did the needful with immediate effect.
"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," Ivan's statement concluded.
He also clarified that when informed about the difference in rates for members and guests, the family readily cleared the arrears.
Who is Jemimah Rodrigues?
Jemimah (24) is one of the prominent faces in Indian women's cricket at present. A right-handed batter, she has represented the country in three Tests, 31 ODIs, and 104 T20Is, scoring 235, 745, and 2,142 runs, respectively. She was part of the India's 2024 Women's T20 World Cup squad. In four matches, she registered scores of 13, 23, 16. and 16.