Cult Attempts to Swing Election by Poisoning Voters

Osho Rajneesh Drive-by in Rajneeshpuram, 1982. Photo courtesy of © 2003 Samvado Gunnar Kossatz.

In the fall of 1984, an unlikely setting - a salad bar - became the focal point of the most significant bioterror attack in U.S. history. Over 750 people in the small town of The Dalles, Oregon, fell ill after cult members contaminated local restaurants with Salmonella. This was no random act of violence; it was part of a calculated plan by followers of Baghwan Shree Rajneesh, aiming to influence local elections.

The Cult Behind the Attack

Rajneeshpuram, a commune established in rural Oregon by Baghwan Shree Rajneesh and his followers, was the epicenter of this disturbing event. Rajneesh, also known as Osho, attracted thousands of followers with his teachings that often revolved around a mix of spiritual liberation and free love. By 1984, Rajneeshpuram’s influence extended beyond the commune and had taken over the nearby town of Antelope. Their next goal was even more ambitious - gaining control of Wasco County because of land use issues.

The Election Plot Unfolds

The cult’s plan was both shocking and simple: reduce voter turnout by making people sick, thereby securing election victories for their candidates. Rajneesh’s followers strategically contaminated salad bars at 10 restaurants across The Dalles, a city in Wasco County, with Salmonella, causing a massive outbreak. Initially, the outbreak was attributed to poor food handling practices. However, it was soon revealed that this was a deliberate act of bioterrorism orchestrated by the Rajneeshees.

The Aftermath and Legal Consequences

The poisoning sickened 751 people and led to the hospitalization of 45, but fortunately, there were no fatalities, and the Rajneeshees failed to sway the election. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) later identified the Rajneeshees as the culprits, marking this as the first and largest bioterrorist attack in U.S. history. Key figures in the cult, including Ma Anand Sheela, were convicted and sentenced to prison, though they served only a fraction of their sentences. The story is explored in detail in the “Wild Wild Country” documentary series on Netflix.

A Lasting Impact

The Rajneesh poisonings had a profound impact on the perception of religious communities and public health and food safety in America. It exposed vulnerabilities in how food is served and safeguarded in public spaces. The attack also served as a grim reminder of how easily everyday items - like food - can be weaponized, leaving lasting scars on those affected.

The story of the Rajneesh poisonings is a chilling example of how ideology can turn deadly, reminding us of the thin line between faith and fanaticism.

References: How a Cult Used Salad Bars to Orchestrate the Worst Bioterror Attack in US History | Netflix documentary series recounts salad bar bioterror attack