For years, the family of Ratan Tata had kept a silent distance from the boardroom battles that shaped the destiny of the Tata Group. That silence has now been broken. His half-sisters-Shireen Jejeebhoy and Deanna Jejeebhoy-have spoken out, and their words reveal pain and fear.
In a recent interview with Mint, the sisters spoke about the growing tension inside Tata Trusts, the powerful body which oversees the Tata Group. Their message was simple but heavy: “Our concern is with his legacy.”
Insiders have often said that Ratan Tata's biggest fear was not about market share or stock prices, but about discord within the Trusts after he was gone. That fear, his sisters say, may finally be turning into reality.
“It’s painful to see people fighting over the Trusts,” said Shireen. “And we keep wondering, what is this fight even about?”
Their comments reflect deep emotional concern-not for the wealth or control-but for what is happening to Ratan Tata's lifelong vision of unity, trust, and purpose-driven business.
The timing of their statement is critical. This comes within weeks of Mehli Mistry, one of Ratan Tata’s oldest and closest friends, being removed from the Tata Trusts. According to reports, the Trusts are now divided into two internal camps, both comprising of people who were once among Ratan Tata’s trusted circle.
One camp is said to belong to Noel Tata, Ratan Tata’s half-brother and current chairman; the other is perceived as loyal to the old guard, those who stood alongside Ratan Tata during his decades-long leadership.
A Legacy at Stake The Tata Trusts are not just a set of institutions; they are the moral backbone of the Tata Group, controlling a majority shareholding of the group's holding company, Tata Sons. Any internal rift, therefore, shakes not just the Trusts but the entire Tata empire, from Tata Steel to Tata Consultancy Services.
For the sisters of Ratan Tata, the chasm is personal: They fear that what their brother built over decades-an empire founded on ethics, humility, and nation-building-will be overshadowed by ego and infighting. Hope for Peace Despite all disappointments, the sisters say they still believe in hope. “There is always hope,” they said, perhaps a line that captures the resilience of the Tata family best.
The big question, therefore, as the Trusts navigate this moment of uncertainty, is whether peace will return before Ratan Tata's worst fear fully materialises.
