In a move that has stirred Mumbai's social circles, cricket sensation Jemimah Rodrigues has had her membership revoked from the prestigious Khar Gymkhana following allegations of religious conversions.
The prestigious Khar Gymkhana, one of Mumbai's oldest clubs, cancelled the honorary membership of Indian women's cricket star Jemimah Rodrigues following allegations that her father conducted unauthorised religious activities on club premises.
The decision was taken at the club's annual general body meeting on October 20, 2024, after members raised concerns about events organized by Rodrigues’s father which they claimed facilitated religious conversion. Khar Gymkhana president Vivek Devnani confirmed the action, stating: “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 Jemimah Rodrigues was revoked pursuant to a resolution passed by the members who attended the general meeting.”
The controversy centres around approximately 35 events held at the club's presidential hall over an 18-month period by Ivan Rodrigues, Jemimah's father, under the banner of Brother Manuel Ministries. Shiv Malhotra, a managing committee member, told the media: “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.”
Malhotra further detailed the nature of these gatherings: “We hear about conversions all over the country, but it's happening right under our nose. There was dancing, expensive music equipment, 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, who personally attended one of these events after being alerted by a staff member, described the scene to the media: “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.”
Brother Manuel Ministries, the organisation at the centre of the controversy, was founded by Bro Manuel Mergulhao, who claims to have received prophetic gifts at age 17. According to the ministry's website and social media handles, the organisation has grown from ministering to 50 people three decades ago to serving thousands today. Their stated mission is “to set up a small shop one yard away from hell to win back lost souls for the Lord.”
Rodrigues, who received the honorary three-year membership in 2023, was the first Indian female cricketer to be granted membership at Khar Gymkhana. This development comes at a crucial juncture in her sporting career. The accomplished batswoman, whose record includes over 2,000 runs in T20 internationals alone, recently represented India in the UAE T20 World Cup. She remains scheduled to participate in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, commencing 24 October in Ahmedabad.
It was reported that multiple attempts to reach both Jemimah and Ivan Rodrigues for their comments were unsuccessful.
