Akash Samaroo
Lead Editor -Politics
Growing dissatisfaction within the National Council for Indian Culture (NCIC) has led to calls from within its board for president Surujdeo Mangaroo to step down, amid accusations that his handling of recent controversies has damaged the organisation’s reputation and exposed directors to personal and professional consequences.
Guardian Media understands that several directors have lost confidence in Mangaroo’s leadership, particularly over his handling of the controversy surrounding Blue Waters’ sponsorship of Divali Nagar 2026 and his public exchanges with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
While dissatisfied directors are reluctant to pursue a formal confrontation during the Divali Nagar celebrations, some are hoping Mangaroo will voluntarily relinquish the presidency to allow the organisation to rebuild public confidence.
Sources familiar with discussions within the council say dissatisfaction has intensified over allegations that Mangaroo has been making public statements and engaging the media without adequately consulting the wider board, leaving directors to face criticism over positions they did not necessarily endorse.
Guardian Media understands that the board was aware that an application had been submitted for a $500,000 Government subvention for this year’s Divali Nagar celebrations.
However, sources stressed that the submission of an application did not mean funding had been approved or disbursed.
The Prime Minister announced yesterday that the application will be approved.
They explained that applications for Government subventions are submitted through established procedures requiring cultural organisations and NGOs to provide budgets, financial information and supporting documentation.
Consequently, directors did not believe a separate notification to the Government was necessary, since the relevant authorities were already aware of the application.
The sources also disclosed that Government funding for last year’s Divali Nagar was only received midway through 2026, making it impossible to determine when any subvention for this year’s event would be received.
They emphasised that Government subventions and corporate sponsorship arrangements are entirely separate funding mechanisms.
The NCIC has maintained longstanding corporate partnerships with organisations, including First Citizens Bank and other sponsors, some of which are State-owned enterprises.
These relationships, several extending beyond 18 years, are based on the commercial value of Divali Nagar, including opportunities for advertising, brand exposure, customer engagement and, in some cases, revenue generation.
Against that background, sources say the board had agreed to accept Blue Waters’ sponsorship but opposed holding a press conference to publicly announce the company as a diamond sponsor.
Directors reportedly feared the announcement would attract political controversy, given the tensions between the Government and the company’s owners.
While Blue Waters had requested the media event, sources maintain that Mangaroo insisted on proceeding despite concerns expressed internally.
The announcement subsequently drew criticism from Persad-Bissessar, who accused the company’s owners of using the sponsorship as a public relations exercise.
Sources insist that several directors never intended for the organisation to become embroiled in a public dispute with the Prime Minister.
The controversy has reportedly created considerable unease among directors, many of whom volunteer their time while maintaining professional careers and family responsibilities.
Some are particularly concerned about the potential consequences for members employed in the public sector, amid reports that individuals have faced uncomfortable questions about their association with the NCIC.
Guardian Media understands that directors believe their professional reputations are being affected by statements and decisions attributed to the organisation collectively, although those positions do not always reflect the views of the board.
There are also concerns about the circulation of screenshots of internal discussions, which sources say have further strained relationships and exposed individual directors to unwanted scrutiny.
The tensions follow the resignations of appointed board members Varsha Ramharrack, Ferida Ramkissoon and Dr Shane Mohammed, although the circumstances surrounding their departures have differed.
Sources say the growing discord has also created uncertainty among some participants and supporters of Divali Nagar, with questions being raised about whether the controversy could affect involvement in the celebrations.
Despite the dissatisfaction, directors are reportedly reluctant to initiate a no-confidence move while the celebrations remain underway.
Sources indicate that some favour discussions aimed at persuading Mangaroo to step aside rather than pursuing a potentially divisive internal process.
However, they acknowledge Mangaroo’s longstanding contributions to the preservation and promotion of Indian culture, maintaining that the dispute concerns his present leadership rather than his historical service.
Mangaroo has previously denied suggestions of internal turmoil or political motives surrounding the sponsorship arrangement, maintaining that Blue Waters approached the NCIC months before the controversy involving its owners.
The dissatisfied directors believe a change in leadership is now necessary to restore unity, protect members and rebuild confidence in the organisation.
Guardian Media reached out to Mangaroo yesterday afternoon for a response to the board members’ concerns; however, no response came up to press time.
