Khar Gymkhana, one of the oldest cricket clubs in Mumbai, revoked India women’s cricket player Jemimah Rodrigues’s membership due to her father's alleged religious activities.
The decision to cancel Jemimah's membership was taken at the club's Annual General Body meeting on Sunday, confirmed an Indian Express report.
"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 Jemimah Rodrigues was revoked pursuant to a resolution passed by the members who attended the general meeting held on October 20, 2024," Khar Gymkhana president Vivek Devnani told the Indian daily.
Khar Gymkhana managing committee member Shiv Malhotra revealed further details: "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."
He added: "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."
Former club president Nitin Gadekar stated that he was made aware of the "religious activity" by a staff member.
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"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 stated.
However, president Devnani claimed the allegations were made to gain political mileage ahead of the club's managing committee and trustee elections.
"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 Times of India.
Jemimah was offered the club membership in 2023 and was allowed to use its facilities. She was part of India’s dismal Women’s T20 World Cup campaign in the UAE, scoring 68 runs from four innings.
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