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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:
*Resolution of the Governing Board, 14
th
February, 2003:
“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.
At this meeting, it was agreed that: