The 138th annual report of the Ripon Club shows a profit of Rs 70,133 for the financial year April 2023 to March 2024 after paying Rs 48,000 as taxes. The surplus was more than last year’s Rs 49,624. During the year 11 new members were admitted while two resigned and three died, leaving a total of 766, an increase of six over the previous year. Though women constitute almost 15% of the membership comprising 104 associate lady members and 10 lady members, they are not "entitled to vote or attend the meeting.” Efforts were made to put to vote this discrimination against Parsi women and this was agreed on some years ago but the then managing committee reneged on their commitment due to behind the scenes maneuvering from a handful of hard core chauvinist members. The dissidents feared the majority of fair minded members would grant women full membership rights to the Club. Similar misogyny was displayed at the Parsee Gymkhana at Dadar as well when a vote to end discrimination against the women members was shelved. That matter is now before the Supreme Court.
N. M. Wadia Building where Ripon Club is housed
The Ripon Club’s total assets are Rs 2.44 crores (USD 281,722) of which Rs 1.68 crores (USD 193,972) are shown as "investments.” The Club’s total income for the 12 months was Rs 31.93 lakhs (USD 36,820) of which subscription totaled Rs 20.89 lakhs (USD 24,119) and earned interest was Rs 8.83 lakhs (USD 10,195). Catering is outsourced to Tehmtan Dumasia of K. Caterers who pays the Club a percentage of the income derived. The amount received for "Commissariat commission and service charge” is shown as Rs 5.57 lakhs (USD 6,396).
The accounts audited by F. K. Mody & Co state: "There is an income tax demand of Rs 15, 65,270 (USD 18,000). For certain years rectification orders are yet pending whereas for others the tax calculations have not been received. The demand shall reduce after receiving the effects of the appeals which have been decided in favor of the Club. The Club is following up on these pending matters… Water charges are unpaid of Rs 23.97 lakh (USD 27,675) on account of ongoing dispute with the landlord.”
The landlords, the N. M. Wadia Charities, have filed a suit for eviction against the Club which occupies the third and fourth floor of the N. M. Wadia Building on Mahatma Gandhi Road in the Fountain area. The case is pending while consent terms between the two parties are being finalized. The compromise arrived at was to give the fourth floor premises on a leave and license basis to a third party and to share the revenue received in a proportionate manner between the Club and the landlord. But Club member lawyer Khushroo Zaiwala filed an objection to the scheme with the Charity Commissioner. The finalization of the proposal is therefore said to be in abeyance. Open Monday through Saturdays, the Club sees a substantial attendance on Wednesdays for lunch when dhansak is served and Friday when pulav dal is offered. Aside from some members lunching on other days the Club is usually deserted.
The all-male office bearers of the Club are president Sir Dinshaw Manockjee Petit, Fifth Baronet, vice president Rohinton Dhalla, trustees Mehli Cama, Dhalla, Jehangir Chowna, Xerxes Dastur and Jimmy Pochkhanawalla, managing committee members Dastur (chairman), Hoshang Hodiwalla (honorary secretary), Zubin Dalal, Mehernoz Daruwalla, Adil Irani, Sheroy Bodhanwalla, Carl Patel, Sarosh Bana and Neville Bulsara (resigned October 12, 2023).