Jemimah Rodrigues' father finally addresses shocking 'religious conversion meeting' allegations

Ivan Rodrigues, father of Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues, issued a clarification on the allegations of inappropriate activities linked to prayer meetings at Khar Gymkhana. He claimed that everything that happened was in the full knowledge of the office bearers.

Jemimah Rodrigues' father, Ivan Rodrigues, recently hogged the headlines and faced a lot of criticism. He was recently accused of conducting unauthorized religious activities on the club premises. Several club members raised objections over Ivan Rodrigues’ actions and called for some action to be taken.

Jemimah Rodrigues' father Ivan Rodrigues violated the rules of the club, prohibiting religious practices - Reports

According to the officials at the Gymkhana, Ivan Rodrigues violated the rules of the club, prohibiting religious practices. One official disclosed that Ivan, who is also a cricket coach, had used the club’s presidential hall to host 35 events over the past year and a half.

Ex-Gymkhana president Nitin Gadekar was also against Ivan Rodrigues, saying that the other members had personally witnessed the father of Jemimah Rodrigues performing one of these events. This event saw the honorary three-year membership of Jemimah Rodrigues at the club getting canceled.

We had availed of the facilities at the Khar Gymkhana for the purpose of prayer meetings on multiple occasions - Jemimah Rodrigues' father Ivan Rodrigues

Amid all the fuss and reports, Ivan Rodrigues has come up with the clarification. He said that they had availed of the facilities at the Khar Gymkhana for the purpose of prayer meetings on multiple occasions. But he mentioned that everything was in the knowledge of officials and prayer meetings were open to all. He said:

"In light of the recent and erroneous reports doing the rounds in the media, we would like to put on record a few facts. 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 full knowledge of the office bearers.

"The prayer meetings were open to all and were in no way 'conversion meetings' as is wrongly labelled in articles in the media. When we were told to stop conducting the prayer meetings, we respected the stance of the Gymkhana and did so with immediate effect."

To then be the subject of false claims and misinformation is disheartening - Ivan Rodrigues

Ivan Rodrigues further claimed that they even cleared the arrears which were due to them. He stressed that they are honest, law-abiding people, and to see false claims and misinformation against them is disheartening. He added:

When informed about the difference in rates for members and guests, we readily cleared the arrears. 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."

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