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| Matrimandir, the Soul of Auroville. Image source: Pixabay |
𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 "𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞" 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲, 𝐀𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭.
(The petition copied below was received by mass mail from concerned residents in Auroville on 19th Nov, 25. I've highlighted parts of it for quick reference.)
Do you support this petition against the termination notice issued to an Aurovilian?
PREAMBLE
Recently “show-cause notices” have been sent to over 35 Aurovilians, threatening to “terminate” their status of Aurovilians. Most of the targeted residents are known for having voiced their concerns about the actions of the present administration. This move not only seeks to stifle all freedom of expression and genuine criticism, it also runs against all that Auroville stands for, beginning with a commitment to the truth.
It is important to note that such “show-cause notices” are normally issued by employers to employees, or to people bound by a specific contract. Aurovilians are not employees of the Auroville Foundation. Our sole “contract” is our commitment to Mother’s Charter for Auroville. Of course, we are also bound by India’s laws.
Recently, Major Arun Ambathy was issued a "termination notice” which, apart from a series of allegations issued without evidence, calls him a “newcomer”.Arun’s conduct, it is alleged, is inconsistent with Auroville’s ideals and values — but what are these so-called ideals and values? Do they include corruption? Arun did openly oppose corruption. Do they include destruction of the environment? Arun courageously opposed the indiscriminate felling of trees. Do these ideals and values include injustice such as the denial of the gratuity to forest workers, which they are entitled to? Arun opposed this unfair decision.
As a courageous whistle-blower, Arun has steadfastly denounced numerous irregularities committed by the Office of the Secretary of the Auroville Foundation. We are proud to have in our midst such a person who risked his life for Mother India.
In this spirit, we invite you to add your name to this petition:
PETITION
We, the undersigned residents and well-wishers of Auroville, wish to assert and record:
Our strong objection to the recent spate of show-cause notices, which we regard as unacceptable in letter and spirit. This objection is eloquently shared in:
An “Open Letter from residents regarding show cause notices from "ATR" and "ATSC” signed by 520 residents so far.
A letter of 13 August 2025 from the RA Working Committee to the Governing Board.
An “urgent communication to the Governing Board” of 2nd October 2025 from the International Advisory Council.
Our rejection of the “termination notice” issued to Major Arun Ambathy, not only for the reasons stated in the above preamble, but also because Major Arun Ambathy is not a “newcomer”; he was accepted as a full-fledged Aurovilian by the Residents’ Assembly’s Admission Committee (aka Entry Board), our legitimate entry group, which is responsible for welcoming Newcomers and accepting them or not as residents according to the provisions of the Auroville Foundation Act, 1988, and Entry Policy 2017. (Ref. the Entry Service’s announcements of Major Arun Ambathy’s Aurovilian status no. 244 dt. 24.03.2025, and his Aurovilian status confirmation no. 248 dt. 21.04.2025.)
We reiterate the Residents’ Assembly’s role in the admission and termination of residents as per Section 19 of the Auroville Foundation Act.
Annexure
Excerpt from the Auroville Foundation Act, 1988:
19. Functions of Residents’ Assembly.—(1) The Residents’ Assembly shall perform such functions as are required by this Act and shall advise the Governing Board in respect of all activities relating to the residents of Auroville.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the foregoing powers, the Residents’ Assembly may—
(a) allow the admission or cause the termination of persons in the register of residents in accordance with the regulations made under section 32;
(Section 32 states: 32. Power to make regulations.—(1) The Governing Board may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act and the rules made thereunder, for enabling it to discharge its functions under this Act.)
NOTE: Your confidentiality will be maintained. If you prefer to submit your signature via email, please send your name, your community name or city/country of residence, your response to the petition, and the title of the petition to: build.auroville.together@gmail.com