The internal discord brewing within Tata Trusts, the principal shareholder of Tata Sons, has surfaced at a time laden with emotional significance — the first death anniversary of Ratan Tata. The timing has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a solemn celebration of his life and values. On Thursday, as national newspapers carried full-page tributes commemorating Ratan Tata’s humility, vision, and philanthropic legacy, the organisation he once led with quiet dignity found itself grappling with a deep governance crisis.
The irony is difficult to overlook. While the Tata Group’s advertisements lauded Ratan Tata as the embodiment of grace, modesty, and integrity — calling him the “guiding light” of the conglomerate — the reality within Tata Trusts was far less harmonious. A bitter internal feud among trustees over issues of control, appointments, and governance has shaken an institution that has long prided itself on the very principles of unity and ethical leadership that Ratan Tata stood for.
Ratan Tata, one of India’s most respected industrialists and philanthropists, passed away on October 9, 2024, at the age of 86 in Mumbai after a prolonged illness. On his first death anniversary, Tata Trusts issued a tribute stating, “A life of purpose. A legacy of impact. His legacy of transforming philanthropy into a force for national progress shall always be our guiding light.” Tata Sons, the holding company of the group, echoed this sentiment in its own message, affirming that his lessons in “humility, purpose, and generosity” would continue to inspire generations within the organisation.
Behind the public façade of reverence and unity, however, internal strife has been escalating within Tata Trusts. The tensions have reached such a level that the central government has reportedly stepped in, urging the leadership to resolve their differences swiftly to prevent disruption in the operations of the USD 180 billion Tata Group. According to reports, both Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently held a high-level meeting with Noel Tata, who currently heads Tata Trusts, and N Chandrasekaran, chairperson of Tata Sons, to mediate and restore stability.
At the heart of the turmoil lies a power struggle between two factions. One camp is aligned with Noel Tata, while the other is led by Mehli Mistry, a trustee with close business and familial ties to the Shapoorji Pallonji (SP) family — the group that holds over 18 percent stake in Tata Sons. Mehli Mistry, along with trustees Darius Khambata, Jehangir HC Jehangir, and Pramit Jhaveri, is said to be advocating for greater control over key appointments and board oversight within Tata Sons. This push for influence has reportedly created sharp friction with Noel Tata, who sees it as a challenge to his authority and the legacy management structure built over decades.
The stakes are enormous. Control over the 156-year-old Tata conglomerate — comprising more than 400 companies across sectors such as steel, automobiles, technology, and philanthropy — is being quietly contested through boardroom maneuvering and legal positioning. Although the Tata Group has not issued an official statement on the ongoing conflict, the developments have triggered concern among stakeholders about potential instability within one of India’s most trusted business empires.
As the dust settles on a day meant to honor Ratan Tata’s memory, the unfolding turmoil underscores a deep contradiction: while his legacy continues to be celebrated publicly, the organisation that bears his moral and strategic imprint is struggling to uphold the unity, humility, and stewardship he so carefully cultivated. The coming weeks are expected to be decisive in determining whether the Tata Trusts can reconcile their internal divisions and preserve the integrity of a legacy that has long symbolized stability and purpose in Indian industry.
