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Ivan Rodrigues, the father of Indian women's star batter Jemimah Rodrigues, has issued a clarification regarding allegations of inappropriate activities linked to prayer meetings at Khar Gymkhana. He asserts that all activities were conducted with the full knowledge and consent of the club's office bearers.
Jemimah Rodrigues' father reacts to allegations of religious conversion meeting
Recent reports have surfaced alleging that Ivan Rodrigues conducted unauthorized religious activities on the club premises, leading to criticism and objections from several club members.
Officials at Khar Gymkhana have confirmed that Ivan Rodrigues violated club rules by conducting religious practices on the premises. One official revealed that Rodrigues, who is also a cricket coach, organized 35 events at the club's presidential hall over the past year and a half.
Former Gymkhana president Nitin Gadekar echoed these concerns, stating that other members had personally witnessed Ivan Rodrigues conducting religious events. As a result of these violations, Jemimah Rodrigues' honorary three-year membership at the club has been revoked.
In response to the ongoing fuss and various reports, Ivan Rodrigues has provided some clarification. He stated that they utilized the facilities at Khar Gymkhana for prayer meetings on several occasions.
Rodrigues emphasized that these meetings were conducted transparently, with the knowledge of the officials, and were open to everyone interested in attending.
"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," Evan wrote in a statement in an Instagram post.
"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," his post further added.
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Ivan Rodrigues also asserted that they have settled all outstanding arrears owed to them. He emphasized that they consider themselves honest, law-abiding individuals and expressed disappointment at the false claims and misinformation directed against them.
"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".
