From ‘Conversion’ accusations to glory: Jemimah Rodrigues scripts her own comeback
New Delhi: In one of the most remarkable moments in Indian women’s cricket, Jemimah Rodrigues and Captain Harmanpreet Kaur scripted a historic chase to take India into the finals of the 2025 Women’s World Cup. Late on Wednesday at the DY Patil Stadium, India stunned Australia, a team unbeaten in their last 16 ODIs, chasing down a mammoth 339-run target with nine balls to spare.
Rodrigues remained unbeaten on 127, while Kaur scored a fighting 89, steering India to their first-ever successful 300-plus chase in women’s ODI history. ESPN Cricinfo called it a “rescue act”, and for good reason India were in early trouble before the duo rebuilt with grit and elegance.
As soon as the final runs were scored, social media erupted in celebration. The 25-year-old Rodrigues was hailed as “India’s pride”, and her name trended across platforms. But for many, the joy carried a hint of vindication, a reminder of how the same player had been vilified not long ago simply because of her faith.
Last year, Rodrigues had been targeted by Hindutva groups after the Khar Gymkhana, one of Mumbai’s oldest clubs, revoked her honorary membership. The move came after allegations that her father, Ivan Rodrigues, used the club premises for “religious activities”. Some members accused him of organising events aimed at “conversion” a claim that was later dismissed by the club’s president as politically motivated factionalism ahead of internal elections.
The vilification, however, took an ugly turn online. Hate-filled social media users called her names, spread falsehoods, and even issued violent threats. Her family chose silence through that storm.
Now, as Rodrigues stood at the centre of the DY Patil Stadium, her bat raised high and her eyes moist, that silence spoke louder than words. In her post-match interview, Rodrigues’s voice cracked as she said, “I want to thank Jesus – I could not do this on my own. I want to thank my mom, dad, coach and every single person who believed in me.”
She later revealed that she was supposed to bat at number five, but was pushed up the order to number three at the last minute, a decision that turned out to be game-changing.
“I was just playing and talking to myself through the innings,” she told ESPN Cricinfo. “But towards the end, I was quoting a scripture from the Bible because I had lost energy and was very tired. The verse says, ‘Just stand still, and God will fight for you.’ And that’s what I did. He fought for me.”
For a young woman once targeted for her faith, this moment was more than sporting glory, it was a quiet, powerful rebuke to the hate that tried to define her. Jemimah Rodrigues didn’t respond to her detractors on social media. She chose the bat instead which now tells her story better than words ever could.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
LoP Ashoka targets CM govt over corruption, says being 'shameless' in public life not forgivable
Bengaluru (PTI): Targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress government in Karnataka on corruption, BJP leader R Ashoka on Friday said, being foolish was forgivable, but being "shameless" in public life was not.
The Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly claimed that in just 30 months of its tenure, the Congress administration has broken every previous record on corruption-related controversies.
He was responding to Siddaramaiah's post on 'X' on Thursday hitting back at the BJP, stating that Upa Lokayukta Justice Veerappa's claims of "63 per cent corruption" were based on his report in November 2019, when BJP's B S Yediyurappa was the CM.
"But Ashoka, without understanding the Upa Lokayukta's statement properly, has ended up tying the BJP's own bells of sins onto our heads and has effectively shot himself in the foot," the CM had said, as he accused Ashoka of foolishness for trying to twist Veerappa's statement to target the current government.
Responding, Ashoka said, "it is one thing to be called foolish in politics, that can be forgiven."
"But in public life, especially in the Chief Minister's chair, one must never become shameless," Ashoka posted on 'X' on Friday addressing Siddaramaiah.
Noting that the CM himself had admitted on the floor of the Assembly that a Rs 87 crore scam took place in the Valmiki Development Corporation, he said that when a CM acknowledges such a massive irregularity inside the floor of the House, the natural expectation is immediate action and accountability.
"But instead of taking responsibility, you continue in office as if nothing has happened. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness," he asked.
Pointing out that the CM's Economic Advisor and senior Congress MLA Basavaraja Rayareddy had publicly stated that under Congress rule, Karnataka has become No.1 in corruption, Ashoka said, "Yet, you still cling to the Chief Minister's chair without a moment of introspection. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness."
Senior Congress MLA C R Patil had exposed the "money for House" racket in the Housing Department and even warned that the government would collapse if the details he has were made public, Ashoka said.
"Despite such serious allegations from within your own party (Congress), you neither initiated an inquiry nor acted against the concerned minister. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness," Ashoka asked the CM.
Highlighting the "40 percent commission" allegation Congress made against the previous BJP government, the opposition leader said, the commission that the Siddaramaiah government appointed concluded that the accusation was baseless.
"After your own panel demolished your own claim, what moral right do you have to continue repeating that allegation. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness," he asked.
For the last two and a half years, Karnataka has been 'drowning' in corruption, scandals, irregularities and allegations across departments. Ashoka said, "If I begin listing every case that emerged under your government, even 24 hours would not be enough."
"And the most tragic aspect of your administration is this: the unbearable pressure, corruption demands and administrative harassment under your government pushed several officers and contractors into extreme distress - including the suicide of Chandrasekharan which exposed the Valmiki Development Corporation scam - a sign of how deeply broken the system has become under your watch," he said.
Instead of fixing this hopeless environment, the government has tried to bury every complaint and silence every voice, he charged.
"Being foolish is forgivable, but being shameless in public life is definitely not."
"When your own ministers admit scams, when your own advisors certify Karnataka as No.1 in corruption, and when your own MLAs expose rackets inside your departments - clinging to power without accountability is not leadership. It is shamelessness in its purest form." PTI KSU
Earlier on Thursday Ashoka had demanded that the corruption case and allegations in the state against the Congress government be handed over to a CBI investigation, citing a reported statement by Upalokaykta Justice Veerappa alleging "63 per cent corruption", following which Siddaramaiah hit back at the BJP leader.
