What is the critique of the Indian government?

Osho, from Morarji Desai’s government to Rajiv Gandhi’s, you have remained only a critic. But do you have any particular approach or answer for solving this country’s problems?

This country’s population is the enemy of this country—a problem that can be solved very simply, with a little intelligence. In the commune I created in America there were five thousand sannyasins, twenty-five hundred couples. In five years not a single child was born. No guns were used, no police stood guard—only understanding. Second: India has been enslaved for two thousand years—by Mughals, Turks, Huns, Muslims, the British. Two thousand years is a long time. Slavery has sunk so deep into the mind that it doesn’t leave even when you try to remove it. We must remove this inner slavery. It is not only slavery; it has filled your mind with rubbish that will go only when slavery falls. Outwardly you look free—only outwardly. Within, no difference. Slavery is a chain that stifles human genius. In three hundred years the British built schools, colleges, universities here—not so you would become…

Osho, why is india drifting towards lawlessness? Are indians the most lawless people?

So the very next day Willy went onto the course, found some partners and began to play. At the fourth hole, however, after a very careful swing, poor Willy missed the ball completely. Instinctively, he let out a holler, 'Oy gevalt!' he shrieked. Suddenly realizing what he had said, Willy smiled broadly and added with a flourish, 'Whatever that means!' A tale is told of a certain countess who was half French and half English. When she was in labour with her first child, her husband was beside himself with anxiety. The doctor tried to calm him down. 'She's got plenty of time to go,' he said. 'Let's play cards.' So he dealt out a hand, but then suddenly a cry came from the bedroom, 'Mon dieu! Mon dieu!' The count jumped up from his chair. 'Not yet, not yet,' soothed the doctor. 'Keep on playing.' So they did, but…

Beloved Osho, what are the defects of the present political system in india, and what is the remedy? What type of political system would be suitable?

It was simply out of necessity; when his mother was assassinated he had to come into politics, unwillingly. He has no political ambitions, and that is a great hope. India has maintained a policy of neutrality for forty years-not being either in the Soviet camp or American camp, but remaining neutral to both. The idea was that if you are neutral to both, both will be friendly to you. But in reality, just the opposite happened. Both are suspicious of India. Because you are neutral, nobody knows: in a situation when your support is needed, which camp will you support? Drop that idea of neutrality. I am not saying become part of a camp. There is no need to become part of a camp. But drop the idea of being neutral; mix with both the camps and allow both the camps to help you. And both will compete in helping…

Osho, where are this country’s politicians taking the nation? What became of socialism?

This country can be healthy, prosperous, abundant. It has everything, and its people have great talent. But our assumptions are wrong. Then you weep and worry and ask: where are politicians taking the country? Ask yourself: whom did you choose? From that, you’ll know where they’ll take you. Politics should be in the hands of the young—fresh minds who still have the courage to experiment, the capacity to try, even the guts to make mistakes. But whom do you send into politics? Seventy-five-year-olds, eighty-year-olds, eighty-four-year-olds. Everywhere else retirement rules apply—at fifty-five, fifty-eight, or sixty. Why? Because after sixty, people generally go senile—everywhere else. But in politics? After sixty, suddenly they’re deemed wise. What a joke. Until you’re senile, you’re nobody; who will even recognize you? First question: have you gone senile? If yes, you’re fit to be a leader. Morarji Desai left the university sixty years ago. Whatever he learned…

Osho, Shri Morarji Desai talks a lot about doing this and that in the national interest—then why doesn’t he do anything?

I know a gentleman. All his life he has contested elections, and all his life he has lost them. Contesting and losing—that is his entire story. Wherever an election is happening, of whatever kind—if he just hears of it, he stands. And every time he forfeits his deposit. I got to wondering what the matter was. And he’s a decent man—truthful, honest. I looked into it and discovered that it is precisely because of his decency, truthfulness, and honesty that he forfeits his deposit. In one election people asked him, “Why are you standing—To serve the people?” He said, “No, I want to taste the perks of office.” Now who will vote for such a man? Though what he said was true: “I have nothing to do with serving the people. I want to enjoy the sweetmeats of office. To hell with the people!” He spoke with perfect honesty—but such…