RESPONSE TO ISKCON GBC MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
AND THEIR APRIL 25, 2025 DENIAL OF “POISONING ALLEGATIONS”
The ISKCON GBC, whose credibility has declined precipitously and universally, partly due to repeated denials that there is any evidence that HDG AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada was maliciously poisoned by some of his caretakers, recently issued another absurd denial. Those who know the facts are weary of the GBC’s same old duplicities, weak argumentative fallacies, wrong facts, bad science, and evasive tactics. However, the truth is closing in on them, as their denials fail to impress devotees, who are no longer fooled by their misleading word games and misinformation.
The ISKCON misleaders try hard to stem the tide of truth revelations, rising into a tsunami, and the more they resist the truth, the worse it gets for them.
They are opposed to the supreme authority Srila Prabhupada and the established methods of science, preferring to rule by fantastical dictates and deviant dogma. Srila Prabhupada speaks truth while the GBC speaks lies to deceive others. Their agent Mayesvara das is actually hurting the GBC with his zany counter arguments full of sentimental mish mash and no factual substance. The “poison issue” is not going away simply by their denials, and they are under growing pressure from questioning members. They have done zero forensics themselves, so they can only resort to loyalist “testimonies” and to their pathetic, unscientific distortions of the facts and evidence.
Our replies to the GBC’s shaded deceitful misinformation are given below in brackets:
STATEMENT REGARDING UNFOUNDED POISON ALLEGATIONS
By Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON Communications, April 25, 2025:
The recently resurfaced poison allegations regarding the disappearance of Srila Prabhupada rely on the same inconclusive sources cited over the past two decades: much-debated audio recordings and an analysis of hair samples. These claims have already been extensively reviewed, with no conclusive findings to support the theory. In addition, the statements of Srila Prabhupada’s immediate caregivers at the time highlight the implausibility of such allegations.
[The poisoning “allegations” are in fact a mountain of scientific evidence from many reputable forensic laboratories, and the recent Truth Labs report is indeed “conclusive findings.” The audio recordings contain undisputable statements by Srila Prabhupada and some of his caretakers acknowledging that he was being maliciously poisoned, with Tamal asking, “So, who is it that has poisoned?” These recordings include audio whispers, ten times verified by top-notch forensic firms as being about poisoning. The analysis of Srila Prabhupada’s hair samples by Dr. Morris at MURR were arranged by the GBC and completed by others at their invitation. The chain of custody was impeccable. The GBC’s preposterous claims of “extensively reviewed” means by denials of the GBC and the poisoning suspects. Their statement of ‘implausibility” contrasts with the verified forensic scientific evidence and assessments that clearly proves the poisoning crime they deny.]
Allegations that Srila Prabhupada was deliberately poisoned by several of his closest disciples during his last months in this world have recently resurfaced. These allegations have been promoted by […] the “Justice for Srila Prabhupada Foundation.” They claim to have new evidence to support their theory. […] rest on the same sources of questionable ‘evidence’…
[The GBC pretends the “poison issue” is a contest of us vs them, but in actuality it is their deception VS the truths of reality. Their denials pose a false narrative of “they say, we say.” Using the term “allegations,” the GBC deceitfully mischaracterizes the scientific evidence as only a theory, a claim, and that the “new evidence” is nothing new. However, the extensive multiple year forensic studies by Truth Labs (India) done for Justice for Srila Prabhupada Foundation, released in Sept. 2024, employed updated forensic technologies and medico-legal analyses that cannot be lightly dismissed. Truth Labs studies and test results have been used in court hundreds of times in India, having great credibility and acceptance.
...the claims rely on two sources […] The first is audio recordings from Srila Prabhupada, the week before his departure. […] Srila Prabhupada openly discusses his symptoms and uses the word “poison” in various contexts. Based on these recordings, the promoters of the allegations claim Srila Prabhupada was poisoned. In fact, in a conversation with the Ayurvedic doctor treating him, Prabhupada dismissed this interpretation and instead said clearly, “No. These kind of symptoms are seen when a man is poisoned. He said like that, not that I am poisoned!”
[Deceitfully, the GBC quotes this one phrase out of context from the 1977 conversations, ascribing a meaning which is repeatedly contradicted throughout the same conversations. Srila Prabhupada’s “Not that I am poisoned” out of context phrase clarifies what someone told him about symptoms- it is not a poisoning denial. Why does the GBC only choose a few select portions and neglect the other 90% of these GBC Bhaktivedanta Archives conversations? Hear the full audio at: www.justiceforsrilaprabhupadafoundation.org]
The second is a set of hair samples from His Divine Grace that were subjected to tests in the late 1990s and early 2000s.The original allegations from the late 1990s claimed that Srila Prabhupada was poisoned via the administration of arsenic. Using hair samples that were 20 years old at the time, the tests seemed to show elevated levels of arsenic.
[A highly elevated, 20X normal arsenic level was found in a hair sample by the GBC’s investigator, Balavanta das, tested in 1999 by Dr. Morris at MURR. Balavanta’s funding was cut off and the GBC shut down his work, endorsing instead a dishonest cover-up book of lies and fraud produced and financed by the four primary poisoning suspects. MURR routinely tests ancient mummies and is a world-renowned, premium nuclear testing facility. Dr. Morris’ NAA test results have been used in court hundreds of times without ever being challenged. Yet the GBC and their proxies unashamedly criticize MURR and Dr. Morris as using incorrect methods or making calculation errors. And then the GBC insists we should trust them instead?]
Recognizing the seriousness of these claims, the ISKCON GBC commissioned two different investigations, in 1997 and 2001. Neither of these investigations, which included testimony from a wide range of disciples present in Vrindavan during 1977, found any merit to the claims of deliberate poisoning. The second investigation included the expert testimony of the surgeon who treated Srila Prabhupada in Sept. 1977. Dr. Andrew McIrvine, from Watford General Hospital, affirmed that his Divine Grace suffered from irreversible renal failure and advanced diabetes.
[Balavanta was the GBC investigator 1997-2000, but he only made limited progress. The “second investigation” was a sham and rogue project secretly conducted by the poison suspects in 1999, without Balavanta’s knowledge. Dr. McIrvine was an intern in 1977 and only did a routine urine blockage circumcision. There are no records or clear memories of any tests. We note that diabetes and poisoning can be simultaneous, and the GBC claim that diabetes rules out a poisoning is deceptive. Further, diabetes/kidney disease and cadmium poisoning have similar symptoms.]
In addition, Mayesvara das […] spent five years investigating the allegations, resulting in his book Deception (2020). This study surveys all the available information and provides compelling alternate explanations for the ‘evidence’ cited by the proponents of the poison theory. Mayesvara explains how Srila Prabhupada used the term “poison” in conversations during his last year and why the so-called “whisper tapes” depend on discredited audio technologies…
[Actually, audio forensics and the science of hair analysis are commonly accepted by courts and used by law enforcement agencies worldwide, many having in-house facilities and labs. The GBC is the only one who discredits these widely established sciences! Mayesvara das, with his impassioned, desperate slinging around of weird ideas and possible alternate conclusions to the mountain of irrefutable scientific forensic evidence, that establishes Srila Prabhupada’s lethal malicious poisoning, is not objective, honest, or balanced. The GBC uses shady proxies to bolster their cover-ups, which unabashedly even includes loud statements from the prime poisoning suspects.]
…and why cadmium, which later replaced arsenic by proponents of the theory as the alleged means of poisoning, would be unlikely, if not inconceivable, as a poisoning agent in 1977. The test of hair samples collected from Srila Prabhupada during his final months does show abnormally high levels of cadmium, yet there are multiple possible explanations for this, including environmental contamination. Furthermore, high levels of cadmium are, by no measure, conclusive evidence of intentional poisoning.
[The GBC discredits the MURR hair tests and then says that there are alternate explanations for the test results. Do they recognize the results or not? And because cadmium is not a common poison, this does not invalidate the forensic findings! GBC statements of “inconceivable” and “impossible” contradict statements of “possible explanations,” which they liberally propose but do not prove. Illogical contradictions are their strategy. Truth Labs’ forensic report found the ultra-high cadmium levels to be proof of intentional poisoning, rejecting the GBC’s alternate explanations.]
…the Foundation has cited Truth Labs Inc., a forensics agency contracted to investigate and substantiate their allegations. But the Foundation has refused to share the full results of their investigation. Additionally, requests […] to interview their principal investigator […] have been denied. In the absence of full and accurate information about Truth Labs and their methods, limited credence can be given to any of the conclusions they draw.
[The GBC refuses direct communication with JFSPF but demands full access to investigations that they have opposed and obstructed for decades. This is their hypocritical stance- the GBC is untouchable and all others must honor their corrupt authority? Some of the critical forensic results and materials have been reserved by Truth Labs for courts and law enforcement at the appropriate time, which is standard legal procedure. JFSPF asked for the GBC’s complete list of questions but were denied. The GBC uses proxies to avoid open, honest, or sincere communications. The sleazy GBC wants full disclosure from others while giving none themselves.]
It is significant to note that forensic sciences do not recommend hair sampling as a test for poisoning. In other fields, hair analysis is used to determine the presence of drugs, alcohol, and DNA matching. However, even in the medical world, such tests are considered controversial and unreliable for diagnoses, and they rarely pass as admissible evidence in legal proceedings.
[This is absolute rubbish and a gross distortion of established scientific methodologies. Soon the GBC will meet the truth in court and their deception will not fly anymore.]
Perhaps most importantly, it can be noted that not a single disciple who was involved in Srila Prabhupada’s care during his final year find these claims even remotely plausible. Moreover, Srila Prabhupada’s closest associates and caregivers repeatedly used words like “impossible” to describe the poisoning theorists’ claims. The findings of these investigations, including the statements of many witnesses, are freely available for those who want to review the evidence mounting against the poison theory. The appendices below provide links to various sources of information. The Communications Ministry offers this brief summary to inform devotees who may be unaware of the past iterations of the poison claims. We urge the ISKCON community to recognize the integrity of Srila Prabhupada’s caretakers and to critically examine the body of evidence that puts to rest this oft debunked theory.
[The GBC tries to reduce the matter to a contest between “closest associates/caregivers” and “poisoning theorists.” But many of these associates and caregivers, are the lead suspects in the crime that is proven by science and forensics. Their denials will not invalidate the science and forensics that proves the poisoning. So what if the poison suspects say the “theory” is ‘impossible?” To correct their bluff, the fact is that hundreds of senior devotees and perhaps half or more of the worldwide devotee community has accepted Srila Prabhupada’s criminal poisoning as a fact. And regardless of the caretakers’ integrity, Srila Prabhupada’s own words and the forensic scientific evidence remains valid. Someone did poison Srila Prabhupada with lethal levels of cadmium- this cannot be avoided as being true.]
Appendix A: Useful Resources
2000 GBC Response. Also excerpted in Appendix B below.
2000 GBC endorsed book Not That I Am Poisoned (60 pages) compiled by the GBC Ministry for the Protection of ISKCON, available section by section here.
2017 Letter of Response from GBC.
2020 Rebuttal YouTube Video: “Deception – Poison Con Fraud”.
2020 Rebuttal book Deception (472 pages).
[In line with the GBC’s deceptive and incompetent manner, their so-called definitive book-reply to the “poison issue,” Not That I Am Poisoned, has only 60 out of 320 pages available online, and the book is unavailable for order. Why? Because it is an obvious fraud, full of garbage and lies? Further, the GBC agent Mayesvara’s book, aptly named Deception, was refused endorsement by the GBC in an online video announcement by Bhakti Chaitanya Swami 2022. The GBC is all bluff- they have discussed internally that they must be very cautious about their legal jeopardy.]
Appendix B: GBC Resolutions, Year 2000, #617: Poison Controversy Statement:
WHEREAS, the book Not That I Am Poisoned, published by the GBC Ministry for the Protection of ISKCON, establishes that: Srila Prabhupada’s medical history shows no evidence of poisoning but rather confirms diabetes as the major factor in His Divine Grace’s deteriorated physical health. Forensic (hair) analysis does not show any evidence of poisoning in that the amount of arsenic is compatible with environmental levels and with normal physiological functioning. Recorded conversations indicate that Srila Prabhupada did not believe he was poisoned. Analysis of ‘whisper evidence’ is inconclusive or can be shown to correlate with spoken conversations of the same time.
WHEREAS, the report submitted by Balavanta Das, commissioned by the GBC Executive Committee, does not contradict the conclusions of the more detailed investigation by the Ministry for the Protection of ISKCON; it is resolved that: There is no evidence at this time to support the allegations of poisoning of Srila Prabhupada. This conclusion is based on two independent reports commissioned by the GBC Body. The GBC Body endorses the book Not That I Am Poisoned as the most detailed and comprehensive exposition of these allegations to date, and it recommends this book strongly to devotees who may have been affected by or who are interested in this issue.
[Extensive resources such as various books, podcasts, websites, reports, audio recordings with Srila Prabhupada, etc. have exposed the fraud, deceit, and lies in the GBC’s book of denials (2000). The day is coming soon when the GBC will be exposed for having covered-up Srila Prabhupada’s glorious departure pastimes and how ISKCON was hijacked by poisoners who introduced gross deviations into ISKCON. Empty GBC denials only still impresses their dwindling number of sycophants. See: www.justiceforsrilaprabhupadafoundation.org]
Appendix C: The Word ‘Poison’ in Context: The word ‘poison’ was used in conversations around Srila Prabhupada’s bedside. These conversations referenced three specific themes: Ayurvedic treatments, Srila Prabhupada’s failing organs of filtration, and Srila Prabhupada’s changed appearance. Regarding Ayurvedic medicines, Srila Prabhupada made it very clear that he preferred Ayurvedic cures over modern allopathic treatments. Consequently, one of the first remedies his caregivers sought out was the potent Ayurvedic medicine makaradhavaja.
There was a danger with this particular compound because it included mercury. If Srila Prabhupada’s body was too frail, it could have a poisonous effect. The word poison was thus introduced into the discussion regarding his health to indicate the limited effectiveness of the treatments and the potential harm they could cause. BBT Ref: Nov. 8, 771108R2-VRN at 6:34.
[Nov. 10, 1977, there is a long discussion by all the caretakers about homicidal poisoning in response to Srila Prabhupada expressing great “mental distress” over how “Someone has poisoned me.” The GBC plucks a few phrases out of context and belittles Srila Prabhupada by characterizing his statements about being poisoned as the typical paranoia of an ill, “elderly Bengali Vaishnava.” Listen to the actual 1977 tape excerpts: www.justiceforsrilaprabhupadafoundation.org]
As his condition grew worse, the discussion turned to how Srila Prabhupada’s longstanding diabetes had affected the kidneys’ usual work of removing waste products and extra fluid from the body. At that time, the conversation included references to how his own blood was acting as a poisoning agent. See testimony here.
The third way the word poison entered the dialogue occurred when visitors were shocked to see how frail he had become. Thus, when the Kaviraja asked Srila Prabhupada: “How did you say today that you have been poisoned? Did you get some indication or feeling about this?” Srila Prabhupada’s response was clear and unambiguous: “No. Someone said that, if you give then these things happen Maybe it’s written in some book?” When Tamala Krishna Goswami asked the next day “it is said that you were poisoned?” Srila Prabhupada again responded with a firm “No”. These kind of symptoms are seen when a man is poisoned. He said like that, not that I am poisoned.” BBT Archives Ref: Nov. 9 771109R1-VRN starting at the 15:36 min. mark.
[And after this, Tamal asked, “So who is it that has poisoned?” All the caretakers accepted Srila Prabhupada spoke of being maliciously, homicidally poisoned, and not by medicines.]
Thus, it is not surprising that Srila Prabhupada’s servants would mention “poison” in their concerned discussions. After listening to tapes recorded during the last days that Srila Prabhupada was physically present, some have contended that background whispers contain the word poison and indicate the presence of conspirators discussing their attempt to harm Srila Prabhupada. For instance, some individuals have said that the tapes contain a whispered comment that ‘the poison is going down’ and that this indicates that Srila Prabhupada was drinking a poisoned substance at that time. However, according to the conversation itself and as multiple testimonies have corroborated, the activity in the room at that time was about assisting Srila Prabhupada to lie down from a sitting position. The whisper can be heard as “the swelling is going down” following this change of position. Ref: Nov. 10, 771110R2-VRN 1:58.
[The numerous forensic audio studies (including Truth Labs) confirm the whisper was about a poisoning conspiracy, and the “swelling” word was ruled out, as was claimed by the chief suspect. The GBC has never done a proper forensic audio or cadmium hair analysis. The GBC’s strategy is more and more denials…]
This and similar examples show that the audio evidence, which has been carefully examined by forensic audio engineers, does not support the allegation that Srila Prabhupada was poisoned by his servants. In summary, contrary to the allegations made, the available audio does not demonstratively indicate that Srila Prabhupada was poisoned or believed that he himself was poisoned. To suggest otherwise is based on a highly questionable interpretation.
[Listen to the audio and see how deceitful the GBC is… they did not order any audio forensics, while all 10 studies done so far support a poisoning conspiracy. The GBC is totally dishonest.]
Appendix D: A Brief Response to the Cadmium Claim: As noted above, for years the poison theorists claimed that Srila Prabhupada was poisoned with arsenic. However, in the early 2000s the allegations shifted to cadmium as the primary source of alleged poisoning.
[The GBC investigator Balavanta das tested Srila Prabhupada’s hair at MURR in 1999 only for arsenic, which was 20X above normal. Further hair tests at MURR, pre-arranged by the GBC, were tested for various and different heavy metals in 2002-05, and three samples had similar cadmium levels (average 250X normal). Rather than being a shift in allegations, the new tests had discovered the primary poison, and future tests may reveal further new evidence.]
One argument given is that tests concluded that the level of cadmium measured in Srila Prabhupada’s hair was about 250x normal. While this is cited as conclusive evidence of deliberate poisoning, there are more plausible alternate explanations. For instance, the high cadmium levels in the tests could just as likely be due to external contamination of the samples, and/or analytic error. This uncertainty has been noted by experts regarding the validity of such tests.
[The GBC nor its proxies have obtained any forensic analyses to support their alternate explanations. All they can do is try to fool blind followers with their deceit. There is nothing a goat will not eat and nothing a fool will not speak. These statements are fool's science.]
This is also corroborated by Srila Prabhupada’s physical condition in his last years, which was not consistent with the long-term effects of cadmium poisoning. If the 250x figure was accurate, Srila Prabhupada would have to have been administered cadmium over the course of several years. Such long-term exposure would have resulted in other conditions of cadmium poisoning including bone weakening, liver damage, respiratory issues, and a compromised cardiovascular system; none of which Prabhupada exhibited. One of the likely long-term effects of cadmium exposure is kidney disease, which is a disease from which Srila Prabhupada suffered. But, without the other symptoms being present, the conclusion of the poison theorists is highly speculative and unlikely.
[Again, these statements are patently false, a bluff of denial. The GBC simply says things that seem profound to ill-informed persons, but they do not back up their unscientific pronouncements with anything. Actually, Srila Prabhupada’s physical symptoms conform extremely well with the heavy metal poisoning that is established by multiple hair and audio forensic tests. A GBC proxy even insisted that he knew better than MURR and Dr. Morris how to conduct nuclear testing!]
Appendix E: Personal Testimonies: Many personal testimonies have been recorded from respected and senior disciples of Srila Prabhupada who were with Prabhupada in his last days, and who personally dispute any speculation that Srila Prabhupada was administered poison during his last few months and days on this earth. A .pdf of this statement can be found here.
[The GBC has collected some testimonies from the primary suspects, their ambitious friends, and their own ranks-in-crime, to spew opinions of incredulity about a poisoning. Such testimonies carry no weight. What matters is the hardcore, scientific proof from prominent, government and court accepted forensic investigative firms like MURR and Truth Labs. All the GBC does is cheat others with dishonesty and lies.]
CONCLUSIONS from Prabhupada Truth Commission
The present GBC regime traces their origins to the conspiratorial plot by some caretakers and GBC members to assassinate Srila Prabhupada with lethal poisons in 1976-77. They do not have the blessings of the disciplic succession. Their hypocrisy and offenses have nullified their intelligence. They quarrel with Srila Prabhupada’s own words and teachings, have rewritten his sacred books, have abused devotees and harbored pedophiles/ child sex abusers, and exploited the Founder-Acharya’s good name, assets, institution, and followers for their self-aggrandizement.
Due to their complicity in the obscenely horrible attack on Srila Prabhupada’s body, institution, and teachings, their aiding and abetting the pure devotee’s poisoners, and their cover-ups and obstruction of truth discovery-- one day soon their cheating regime will collapse. They will be forced to resign in disgrace and will be convicted in secular courts of many crimes. They will cause ISKCON to lose its tax exemption status as their criminal enterprise is exposed. Their deception, fraud, civil and criminal convictions will land many of them in jail. While before many innocents kissed their feet, soon they will be homeless, rejected, and despised by all.
The GBC is stuck on this track of deception and insanity because, unfortunately, their interest is to protect their cheating, phony guru business, which the conclusive, verified evidence of Srila Prabhupada’s heavy metal poisoning lethally threatens. It is as simple as that. Their ISKCON guru system and so-called authority stems from the homicidal poisoning of the Founder-Acharya, the indispensable living and divinely empowered leader of the Sankirtan movement.
To cooperate with a secular, legal investigation of Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance pastimes would end their 130 gurus’ gravy train and phony charade. The GBC will fight against any truth discovery by anyone, including the government authorities. Their illegal, corrupt gurocracy/oligarchy is at stake-- criminal enterprises always deny, deny, and then, finally die. Srila Prabhupada wants responsible faithful leaders in charge of his sacred ISKCON.
Hare Krishna. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
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