Sri Aurobindo
Autobiographical Notes
and Other Writings of Historical Interest
Part Two. Letters of Historical Interest
1. Letters on Personal, Practical and Political Matters
(1890–1926)
Letters and Telegrams to Political and Professional
Associates 1906–1926
To Motilal Roy [26]1
Pondicherry
Nov 11. 1920
Dear M.
It has become necessary for me to give a categorical
denial to all the rumours and ascriptions of opinion which irresponsible people
are publishing from time to time about me. The Janmabhumi nonsense is especially
idiotic and I do not understand how anyone with brains in his head could have
accepted such childish rubbish as mine. Please write an article in the next
issue of the Standardbearer saying that in view of the conflicting rumours that
have been set abroad, some representing me as for the Reforms and others as for
Non-Cooperation, you (that is the St. B.) have written to me and received the
following reply which you are authorised to publish. “All these assertions are
without foundation. I have made no pronouncement of my political views. I have
authorised nobody whether publicly or privately to be the spokesman of my
opinions. The rumour suggesting that I support the Montagu Chelmsford Reforms
and am opposed to Non-Cooperation is without basis. I have nothing to do
personally with the manifesto of Sir Ashutosh 
Chaudhuri and others citing a passage from my past writings. The recorded
opinions of a public man are public property and I do not disclaim what I have
written; but the responsibility for its application to the Montagu Chelmsford
Reforms and the present situation rests entirely with the signatories to the
manifesto. The summary of my opinions in the Janmabhumi, representing me
as an enthusiastic follower of Mahatma Gandhi, of which I only came to know the
other day, is wholly unauthorised and does not “render justice to my
views” either in form or in substance. Things are attributed to me in it which I
would never have dreamed of saying. It is especially adding insult to injury to
make me say that I am ready to sacrifice my conscience to a Congress mandate and
recommend all to go and do likewise. I have not stated to anyone that “full
responsible self-government completely independent of British control” or any
other purely political object is the goal to the attainment of which I intend to
devote my efforts and I have not made any rhetorical prophecy of a colossal
success for the Non-Cooperation movement. As you well know, I am identifying
myself with only one kind of work or propaganda as regards India, the endeavour
to reconstitute her cultural, social and economic life within larger and freer
lines than the past on a spiritual basis. As regards political questions, I
would request my friends and the public not to attach credence to anything
purporting to be a statement of my opinions which is not expressly authorised by
me or issued over my signature.”
I shall write to you about other matters in another
letter.
A. G.
P.S. Please ask Mani Naik to see my sister before he
comes here. She wants to send with him certain utensils for our use.