Mumbai, India – Tata Trusts has initiated proceedings to alter the restrictive eligibility criteria for trustees at the Bai Hirabai Jamsetji Tata Navsari Charitable Institution. The decision aims to rectify perceived anomalies in the Trust Deed and align its governance with the inclusive values long espoused by the Tata ethos.
Controversy Precedes Action
This development comes days after a controversy erupted concerning the trust's composition, particularly the eligibility of non-Zoroastrian trustees. The issue gained prominence following the resignation of Venu Srinivasan, Chairman Emeritus of TVS Motor Company and Vice-Chairman across several Tata Trusts, from the Bai Hirabai Trust in early April.
Srinivasan's resignation followed challenges from Mehli Mistry, a former trustee, who contended that only Zoroastrians permanently residing in Mumbai were eligible to serve as trustees. Mistry had also questioned the eligibility of Vijay Singh, another trustee and former Defence Secretary, though Singh remains on the board.
Upholding an Inclusive Ethos
In a statement, Tata Trusts clarified its position, emphasizing that the Tata philosophy has always been secular, inclusive, and focused on national service and philanthropy. The Trusts noted that non-Zoroastrians have been continuously appointed to the Bai Hirabai Trust since 2000, a practice supported by a legal opinion from a former Chief Justice of India.
The Bai Hirabai Trust, established under a 1916 codicil to the will of Sir Ratan Tata, originally contained no restrictions regarding trustees' ethnicity, race, or religion. The codicil stipulated that the trustees of Sir Ratan Tata's will, who also managed the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), would also oversee the Bai Hirabai Trust.
Future Steps
Under the chairmanship of Noel Trust, Chairman of Tata Trusts, the board of trustees of the Bai Hirabai Trust met and decided to adopt formal proceedings before the appropriate authority to amend these restrictive clauses. The trustees also noted that Bai Hirabai is a non-shareholding Trust with a minimal asset base and limited activities.