Decision on Residents' Assembly Resolution No. RAD/04/2022

The Auroville Residents' Assembly conducted an Emergency RAD (Residents' Assembly Decision-making) process in August 2022 on a critical resolution addressing the community's relationship with the Secretary of the Auroville Foundation and affirming support for Residents' Assembly-selected groups. This vote represented the largest participation in an Auroville decision-making process at that time.

Participation and Results

• Total participants: 1,161 registered residents

• Quorum requirement: 10% of eligible residents (239 votes required)

• Total eligible voters: 2,386 confirmed Aurovilians (as of August 2022)

• Outcome: The resolution was overwhelmingly approved with 97% support

The Decision

Result: APPROVED with 97% support (1,122 votes in favor, 10 against, 29 abstentions)

The approved resolution stated: "We, members of the Residents' Assembly of the Auroville Foundation, agree to pass a resolution that states that we, as one of the authorities of the Auroville Foundation as affirmed by the honorable Madras High Court, confirm that orders (Office Orders, Standing Orders and any other form of orders) from the Office of the Secretary and her appointees are not the result of a collaborative work with the RA, and have been issued without consultation with or approval by the Residents' Assembly, and affirm our support for the groups and appointees by the RA."

What This Decision Means

The approved resolution fundamentally addressed the governance structure and authority within Auroville during a period of significant institutional conflict. The community was responding to what it viewed as unilateral actions by the Secretary's office that bypassed the Residents' Assembly's statutory role.

The approved resolution includes these key components:

• The community formally rejected Office Orders and Standing Orders issued without Residents' Assembly consultation, specifically listing 12 contested orders affecting major working groups like ATDC, FAMC, Land Board, and others

• The resolution confirmed support for working group members selected through Residents' Assembly processes, listing specific individuals in key roles including:

  • FAMC members: Amy B, Bobby P, Danny, Elodie, Mita R, Ranjith, Palani

  • TDC members: Allan, Anan, Divya, Dorle, Fabian, Island, Lata, Meera, Natasha, Tom

  • Working Committee: Aravinda, Bharathy, Chali, Hemant, Mael, Sauro, Valli

• The resolution referenced the Madras High Court judgment of August 12, 2022, which reaffirmed that "under the Auroville Foundation, Auroville will be administered by the people of Auroville"

• While asserting RA authority, the resolution acknowledged the court's direction not to take policy decisions until the Register of Residents was updated

• The resolution called upon the Governing Board and International Advisory Council to recall contested orders and work collaboratively