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)
Open Letters. Published in Newspapers 1909–1925
To the Editor of the Standard Bearer1
Sri Aurobindo’s declaration
In view of the conflicting rumours that have been set
abroad, some representing Sri Aurobindo as for the Reforms and others as for
Non-co-operation, Sri Mati Lal Roy, his spiritual agent in Bengal was requested
by those in charge of their spiritual organ, in this humble instrumentality of
our “Standard Bearer,” to write to him in Pondicherry and as a result of the
letter he had written to his Master, Sri Matilal has received the following
reply which we are authorised to publish: –
Dear M –
* * * * * *
All these assertions are without foundation.2
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-Co-operation is without basis. I have nothing to do personally with the
manifesto of Sir Ashutosh Choudhuri 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.
A. G.
published 21 November 1920