Khar Gymkhana president denies Jemimah Rodrigues' father used club hall for religious activity: Report

Things have gone from bad to worse for Jemimah Rodrigues in recent weeks. After a disappointing Women’s T20 World Cup where the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian team failed to progress beyond the group stage and Jemimah’s own form took a hit, the top-order batter finds herself embroiled in a controversy that has little to do with her on-field performances.

Jemimah’s membership at Khar Gymkhana, one of Mumbai’s oldest clubs, was revoked recently after her father Ivan was accused of booking the club’s banquet hall for religious conversion , according to a report on The Indian Express. Khar Gymkhana managing committee member Shiv Malhotra added that the club did not permit members to use its premises to conduct religious activity, and that Ivan was also accused of “converting the “vulnerable”.

Khar Gymkhana president Vivek Devnani, however, denied allegations of Jemimah’s father using the club hall for religious conversions, accusing rivals of indulging in communal politics ahead of the club’s elections.

Devnani confirmed to The Times of India that while Jemimah’s membership was indeed cancelled, “no evidence” had been presented to support claims of religious activity taking place in the club.

“Khar Gymkhana is scheduled to have its managing committee and trustee elections later this month. These allegations are being made with political motives. No evidence has been offered for any alleged wrongdoing.

“I would request and trust our wider body of members and the media to be cautious in relying on misrepresentations and falsehoods,” Devnani was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

Jemimah, who resides in the suburb of Bandra close to where the iconic Khar Gymkhana is located, had been awarded club membership in 2023 upon invitation.

The batter, who has represented India in three Tests as well as 30 ODIs and 104 T20Is, is yet to respond to the allegations, as is her father Ivan.