Jemimah Rodrigues Breaks Her Silence on the Khar Gymkhana Controversy
In a move that sent shockwaves through Indian cricket, the honorary membership of star batter Jemimah Rodrigues at Mumbai’s prestigious Khar Gymkhana was abruptly terminated in October 2024. The reason? Allegations that her father had used the club’s facilities for religious activities, sparking a ‘religious conversion’ row. Now, months later, Jemimah is speaking out, calling the claims ‘false allegations’ and describing the incident as one of the most difficult moments of her career .
Table of Contents
- The Prestige of Khar Gymkhana
- Jemimah’s Historic Membership and the Allegations
- Jemimah and Her Father’s Response to the ‘False Allegations’
- The Club’s Rules and the Heart of the Controversy
- The Impact on Jemimah Rodrigues’ Career
- Conclusion: A Story of Misunderstanding and Resilience
- Sources
The Prestige of Khar Gymkhana
Khar Gymkhana isn’t just any sports club. Founded in the late 1920s, it’s an iconic institution in Mumbai with a rich history of nurturing sporting talent . For decades, it has been a symbol of exclusivity and sporting excellence. Membership is a significant honour, often seen as a mark of arrival in the city’s elite sporting circles.
Jemimah’s Historic Membership and the Allegations
In March 2023, Jemimah Rodrigues made history by becoming the first Indian women’s cricketer to be granted a three-year honorary membership at Khar Gymkhana [[12], [13], [15]]. This was a landmark moment, not just for her, but for women’s cricket in India—a sign of the sport’s growing recognition and the breaking down of traditional barriers.
However, this historic honour was short-lived. In October 2024, following a general meeting of its members, the club’s committee voted to revoke her membership . The official reason cited was that her father, Ivan Rodrigues, had allegedly used her membership to book a hall for what some members described as religious activities, which they feared were related to religious conversion [[1], [7], [18]].
Jemimah and Her Father’s Response to the ‘False Allegations’
Both Jemimah and her father have vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Ivan Rodrigues clarified that the gatherings in question were simply private prayer meetings, a common practice for many families, and that they were booked through the proper channels and adhered strictly to the club’s procedures [[5], [4]].
“There was no conversion, just prayer meetings,” he stated, directly addressing the core of the controversy . Jemimah, from her end, expressed deep hurt over the incident, labeling the allegations as entirely false and describing the episode as a personal and professional low point . This controversy, stemming from a personal family activity, was blown out of proportion and ultimately cost her a significant honour.
The Club’s Rules and the Heart of the Controversy
The Khar Gymkhana has a very clear set of by-laws. According to its constitution, specifically Rule 4A, the club premises are strictly off-limits for any political or religious events . This rule is in place to maintain the club’s secular and apolitical nature, a common practice in many historic Indian institutions.
The controversy appears to be a clash between this strict interpretation of the rule and the personal, private nature of the gatherings. While the club maintains that any religious activity, regardless of intent, is a violation, the Rodrigues family maintains that their private prayer meeting was a personal, non-proselytizing event that did not constitute a ‘religious activity’ in the public or conversion-oriented sense that the rule is designed to prohibit . The club president himself later noted that no concrete evidence of actual conversions had been presented .
The Impact on Jemimah Rodrigues’ Career
On the field, Jemimah Rodrigues remains a vital cog in the Indian women’s cricket team, a talented batter known for her elegant stroke play. Off the field, this incident has been a significant distraction. For an athlete who has worked tirelessly to earn her place at the highest level, having her character and her family’s integrity questioned in such a public forum is a heavy burden.
This episode highlights the intense scrutiny that public figures, especially young female athletes, face. It also raises questions about how private actions are interpreted within the rigid structures of traditional institutions. For fans and followers of women’s cricket, this controversy is a stark reminder of the non-sporting challenges that players can encounter. You can stay updated on her on-field performances in our guide to [INTERNAL_LINK:women-cricket-fixtures].
Conclusion: A Story of Misunderstanding and Resilience
The Khar Gymkhana row is less about a star Jemimah Rodrigues and more about a collision between a private family matter and a club’s long-standing, inflexible rules. While the club has its own governance to uphold, the swift and public nature of the membership revocation, based on what appears to be unsubstantiated fears of ‘conversion,’ has been widely seen as a harsh and disproportionate response. Jemimah’s dignified silence followed by her firm denial of ‘false allegations’ showcases her resilience in the face of a deeply personal and professional setback. As she focuses on her cricket, the hope is that her talent on the pitch will be the only story that matters moving forward.
Sources
[1] Times of India. “Mumbai club removes Jemimah Rodrigues over dad’s ‘religious conversion’ activities.” October 2024.
[2] News18. “Khar Gymkhana president links Jemimah Rodrigues row to lack of evidence on conversions.” October 2024.
[3] India Today. “‘Prayer Meetings, No Conversion’ – Jemimah Rodrigues’ Father Breaks Silence On Gymkhana Row.” October 2024.
[4] Hindustan Times. “Jemimah Rodrigues’ Father Responds to Religious Conversion Allegations.” October 2024.
[5] NDTV. “Jemimah Rodrigues’ Father Breaks Silence On ‘Religious Conversion’ Allegations.” October 2024.
[6] The Indian Express. “Jemimah Rodrigues’ Membership At Khar Gymkhana Revoked In General Meeting Resolution.” October 2024.
[12] Times of India. “Jemimah Rodrigues breaks silence on ‘false allegations’.” November 2024.
[13] ESPNcricinfo. “Jemimah becomes the first India women’s cricketer to get Khar Gymkhana membership.” March 2023.
[15] The Hindu. “Why Did Mumbai Club Cancel Cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues’ Membership?” October 2024.
[22] Mumbai Mirror. “Mumbai’s Elite Khar Gymkhana Club Hits The Spotlight Over Jemimah Rodrigues Row.” October 2024.
[23] EazyDiner. “Khar Gymkhana, Mumbai, India – Reviews, Ratings, Tips.” Accessed November 2025.
[25] Outlook India. “Mumbai’s Khar Gymkhana revokes membership of Jemimah Rodrigues over ‘religious activities’.” October 2024.