Mumbai, October 31, 2025 – Indian women’s cricket star Jemimah Rodrigues has had her honorary membership revoked by Khar Gymkhana, one of Mumbai’s most prestigious clubs, following allegations that her father, Ivan Rodrigues, organized Christian prayer meetings on the club’s premises.

According to club officials, Ivan Rodrigues had allegedly booked the club’s banquet hall multiple times between March 2023 and November 2024 for gatherings associated with Brother Manuel Ministries. These meetings were reportedly of a religious nature, which the club claims violates its Rule 4A, prohibiting any form of religious activity within its premises.

At the club’s Annual General Meeting held on October 20, 2025, members unanimously passed a resolution to revoke Jemimah Rodrigues’s three-year honorary membership. The decision cited misuse of membership privileges and financial arrears related to the event bookings.

The development has ignited public debate, raising questions about the balance between religious freedom, institutional regulations, and personal accountability. While defending the club’s stance, Khar Gymkhana’s president also acknowledged that the controversy may have been politically motivated, given the club’s upcoming committee elections.

Despite the controversy, Jemimah Rodrigues’s professional cricket career remains unaffected. She became the first female cricketer to be awarded honorary membership by the club in March 2023, a recognition of her achievements on the international stage.

Her removal, however, underscores the growing tension between faith, governance, and inclusivity within India’s social and sporting institutions.