Sri Aurobindo
Autobiographical Notes
and Other Writings of Historical Interest
Part Three. On Indian and World Events 1940–1950
1. Public Statements, Messages,
Letters and Telegrams
On the Integration of the French Settlements in India
1947–1950
Letters to Surendra Mohan Ghosh [1]1
I had wired that I would write a letter of explanation,
but I have been unable to do so because we could get no definite information on
the points I have mentioned, not even the 
question of the alleged refusal to send the money order. It is now suggested
that it may have been only a doubt due possibly to a mistaken impression that
French territory in India was like France and other French territories a hard
currency area subject to restrictions in this matter because of the difficulties
created by the dollar exchange. But French India has been declared a soft
currency area where the exchange is in rupees and in pounds; so this difficulty
cannot arise. Up to now money orders are still coming in.
As to the food question, it is now stated that
vegetables and fruit from Bangalore will be allowed to come in without hindrance
and other food commodities which come under the mischief of the Customs will
also be allowed subject to the taking out of a permit by the merchants. The
rumour of prohibition was due to a panic among the merchants both of the Union
and Pondicherry caused by the creation of the Customs line which comes into
operation from today and the additional rumour of drastic measures to be taken
to bring pressure on French India to join the Union. If things go well, there
may be a difficulty of high prices but nothing worse.
At the same time there are signs of tension and we do
not know what may develop from these. For instance, it is said that booking of
goods of Pondicherry has been stopped on the Railway except for newspaper
packages and perishable goods; equally it has been stated that the French
authorities are forbidden a transit of local goods out of French India into the
Union and have created a post to prevent their passage. That is all for the
present. I suppose we shall get some clearer indications once the Customs are in
vigour.
I shall write afterwards about our own threatened
difficulties in French India itself, if they develop. But we badly need some
reliable information as to what is likely to be the fate of French India. On the
one side the French India municipalities have fixed December for the proposed
referendum. If there is a referendum, the voting will go by the usual methods
and the result will be whatever the local Government here dictates and not a
genuine plebiscite; there would be no chance of an accession to the Indian Union or a merger unless Goubert and Co would make, as
they once tried, a bargain with the Government in Madras or in Delhi. On the
other hand, it has been broadly hinted that there will be no plebiscite and the
fate of French India will be determined by direct negotiations between the
Governments in Paris and in Delhi. But when? We were once informed that it would
be in April or June after the return of Baron as High Commissioner but the
politicians here are resolute not to allow the return of Baron because he will
[be] under the influence of the Ashram – just as Saravane, Counouma, André etc.
are to be kept out of all positions of authority for the same reason and because
they are supposed to be in favour of accession to the Indian Union.
1 April 1949