Dear Supporters of a Free Auroville
Since the last update (three months ago) a LOT has happened.
The authoritarian takeover of our community has intensified, as the Office of the Secretary has:
- blocked residents from speaking with the media
- taken over the Auroville E-mail system and intranet
- taken over offices of the executive committee of the Residents Assembly
(literally by calling in the police and changing the locks)
- taken over the Auroville archives
- filed police complaints against elected community representatives
- threatened to cancel or ignore all decisions made by the Residents Assembly
- bulldozed more homes and structures.
Needless to say things are getting tense. People are afraid, not just of losing their visas, but of being charged with treason or "anti national" activities.
But the residents are not backing down!
When the police were called to break into our community computer system, over 300 people showed up in solidarity as a peaceful statement against the action. Residents took turns to guard our Town Hall day and night. Everything has been witnessed and documented.
Last week a massive community gathering attracted people from all sections of Auroville society, who listened to presentations, shared ideas and proposed positive ways forward.
The general atmosphere was one of deep appreciation for the true sense of community. This experience of a family that has been strengthened in adversity is important, because it counters the narrative spun by the Office of the Secretary which is full of racism and is aimed to divide and rule.
We will keep you informed with the best way to support our campaign.
Meanwhile, we urge you to share this petition with as many friends and colleagues as possible. We need to reach 100,000 signatories within the next ten days, so we can send a clear statement to the Prime Minister (and the world) that the Secretariat’s heavy-handed takeover of Auroville is not aligned with the democratic principles that India has long upheld.
For more details about what is going on in Auroville, please see the recent Evolving Galaxy bulletins HERE:
https://linktr.ee/evolvingalaxy
Thank you for your solidarity and support!