Talks with Sri Aurobindo

9 DECEMBER 1939

PURANI(after the sponging of Sri Aurobindo was over): At least one member of the Muslim League Executive doesn't agree with Jinnah's statement yesterday that December 2 should be observed by all Muslims and even the other minorities as the day of liberation from the Congress regime.

SRI AUROBINDO: Who is that? What's his name?

PURANI: I have forgotten it. The Hindu jokes that now we understand why it is said that people should retire after sixty. Jinnah is more than sixty now.

NIRODBARAN: Congress should combine with these Momins and try to come to some agreement with them.

SATYENDRA: It can't do that now, because Congress is too moral.

SRI AUROBINDO: Yes, it is too moral.

PURANI: Kher has asked Jinnah to specify his charges against Congress.

SRI AUROBINDO: Jinnah won't do that; he will only make general statements.

NIRODBARAN: Abul Kalam has also objected to having a Nationalist Muslim Conference at present. He says the time is not favourable.

SRI AUROBINDO: I don't see why it is not favourable. Politically the best thing to do is to combine the Nationalist Muslims—not only those belonging to Congress—and then try to carry the Muslim mass with them. That is the only way to check Jinnah. Even in the Muslim League there are some dissatisfied elements.

NIRODBARAN(after some time): In yesterday's paper Russia was said to be designing an attack on India. Is there any truth in it?

SRI AUROBINDO: India? I think it was Asia. I have also considered it a possibility that Stalinist Russia might attack India. It may begin with Mohammedan Asia and then come to India. If Allies are at war with Russia, this is quite possible. Have you heard the radio news? I don't know why Daladier has made such a fiery speech today against Russia.

NIRODBARAN: It is rather inopportune because it will provoke Russia.

SRI AUROBINDO: Yes; Daladier has enough trouble on hands. But he is like that. He is a weak man, and weak men become unnecessarily violent at times.

PURANI: But France can't directly help Finland.

SRI AUROBINDO: No, she can't, unless Sweden joins in and Norway too. Then not only France but also England can help effectively.

NIRODBARAN: I wonder what Jinnah and his Indian Muslim will do when Russia attacks Mohammedan Asia.

SRI AUROBINDO: He will hold meetings and shout or he will blame Congress for it.

PURANI: He will blame Nehru perhaps because of his social tendencies and say that he has invited Russia.

SRI AUROBINDO: Perhaps it will be more characteristic of him to say, "I like Nehru but he is wicked in this matter."

NIRODBARAN: He may also say that Russia has dared invade because Congress has withdrawn support to the British Government.

SRI AUROBINDO: That won't be communal enough. He will say Congress has invited Russia in to suppress and oppress the Muslims.

PURANI(after a lull): Saravan has been accepted for military training. He was a reservist.

SRI AUROBINDO: Why training?

PURANI: These people are to be trained for three months and then either sent to Saigon or kept here.

SRI AUROBINDO: There are enough troops in Saigon. Besides, in France they don't give training.

PURANI: The first time he was rejected on grounds of health.

SRI AUROBINDO: Well, he can now go to Y to make him ill (Laughter) But I don't understand why he should be sent to Saigon.

SATYENDRA: Perhaps he and the others are very anxious to fight.

PURANI: Yes, they themselves wrote to the Ministry that they should be called up.

SATYENDRA: They want to fight for glory.

SRI AUROBINDO: For food! (Laughter)

When Sri Aurobindo was preparing to sit down to write, Champaklal brought three copies of The Life Divine for his autograph. Champaklal read out the names of the buyers, which were written on a slip of paper. When his own name came, he kept silent. Then Nirodbaran said: "Champaklal." Sri Aurobindo turned and remarked, "You should have said, 'Who is this Champaklal?'" There was laughter again.