Did America Poison Osho? - Paperback

by Nik Marcel (Author)

Osho, also known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, was an Indian mystic who developed an international following of seekers in the 1970s. He initially established his headquarters in Pune, India, before relocating to Central Oregon, America, in 1981. The American commune, known as Rajneeshpuram, became embroiled in scandal in 1985, as allegations surfaced of seriously criminal wrongdoing by a core group of managerial staff at the commune. Within this context, Osho was arrested for immigration violations in late October, 1985. He spent a total of twelve nights and twelve days in US custody, and was held in a total of four jails. After taking an Alford plea and being deported, Osho eventually returned to Pune, India, where, in November 1987, he delivered a discourse in which he alleged that he was poisoned by the US government whilst in their custody for twelve days, some two years earlier. During this discourse he also suggests the US government may have been involved in an attempt to kill him by placing a bomb under the chair he was sitting on in jail, while waiting to be released from custody. Then, in September 1989, nearly two more years later, a press conference is held in America by two of Osho's disciples. It was said that Osho was displaying symptoms consistent with thallium poisoning. The two disciples also handed out copies of a book that allegedly proved that Osho was poisoned by the US government: 'Bhagwan: 12 Days That Shook the World'. There are a number of other books written by key disciples that also address this issue, spearheading the claim that, among other things, Osho was indeed poisoned by the US government whilst in their custody for twelve days in late 1985. This book looks into the claim that the US government poisoned Osho with thallium and or a radioactive material, as well as the claim that the US may have been involved in other efforts or attempts to harm or kill him, including placing him in a cell with a man dying of AIDS, sedating him, and attempting to kill him using an explosive device. Also taken up is an apparently sinister plot Osho overheard, indicating an attempt to indirectly cause harm in some way, and the admission of Osho to a jail facility under the false name of David Washington. This book looks into the anecdotal evidence supporting the allegations of wrongdoing by the US authorities, and examines the various arguments put forward based on this evidence. In particular, this book plays close attention to the unfolding events during the twelve days in US custody, but it also plays close attention to what Osho himself said on this subject in the weeks, months, and indeed years following his brief period of incarceration. For context, also considered is the dire circumstances at Rajneeshpuram, prior to his arrest for immigration fraud.