journal d'une transition

1342

On 14 th February, 2003, the Governing Board met in Auroville, at the Secretary’s Office in Bharat Nivas. We were given a “slot” – the Matrimandir Team had to be let into the room, and this was a larger number than had been anticipated. Arjun and I were sat at the long table, at one end. We stood our ground, without any anger, but without weakening either. Towards the end, a trap was sprung on us. As per the age-old practice to “divide and rule”, the entire Governing Board requested Arjun to agree to be a member of a new group to be called the “Matrimandir Core Group”, isolating him and singling him out at the same time, and forcing him to function in a loaded and heavily monitored and controlled context along with 4 others: Roger A, Frederick, Ulli B. and the Finance Officer for the Foundation, Srinivas Murthy. It meant that Arjun would be heavily outnumbered at every step, as apart from Roger A, Srinivas Murthy could only follow Roger A’s lead, and Frederick was only there to provide Roger A with the “community support” that mattered and, as for Ulli B, it was unlikely that he would take a stand that would not make him popular. Despite my immediate warnings not to accept, Arjun could not see his way out of it and he obliged. One reason that led to this new dispensation was that, as per the rules of the Foundation Act, a representative of the Finance Ministry had to be member of the Board; and this person had very sharply noted that the Central Government must not tolerate such situation where large sums of public money were perhaps being wasted (by public money he meant that donors to the Matrimandir were tax- exempted); his remarks made it all the more obligatory for the Chairman to steer the entire Board towards what would best appear to be a serious measure of control. This is the text of the official Resolution that was passed on that day, as recorded in the official Minutes of the Governing Board, with minor changes brought in, such as the replacement of Srinivas Murthy by the Secretary himself, Mr. Sharma: “During the meeting of the Governing Board on the 14 th February 2003 at the Office of the Secretary, Auroville Foundation, Bharat Nivas, Auroville, the concerns regarding Matrimandir were considered by the Board Members in detail. Discussions were also held with the members of the Working Committee and their invitees, the Auroville Council and the Matrimandir Workers Team. The Governing Board had studied all the papers presented in respect of Matrimandir including enclosures as 1, 2 & 3. The Board noted and appreciated the procedures which were followed by the Residents Assembly. However, it was painfully noted that there was disagreement on important issues. It was felt that these issues needed to be resolved as early as possible. It was further suggested that agreement should be arrived at by concerted effort of all concerned before the conclusion of the Governing Board Meeting. In response a further meeting was held in order to narrow down the differences and disagreement, and even to arrive at an agreement. At this meeting Mr Fred, Mr Ulli and Mr Arjun, representatives of the Working Committee, the Auroville Council and the Matrimandir Workers Team respectively were present. Mr Roger Anger, Member of the Governing Board was also present throughout these meetings. *Resolution of the Governing Board, 14 th February, 2003:

At this meeting, it was agreed that: