Janja Lalich, PhD, author of "Cults in our Midst", gave the keynote speech a the International Cultic Studies Association and forwarded a copy which is now online.
In the beginning of her speech she talks mostly about Jonestown, and the question cult leaders pose to their followers: "Would you die for me?"
When I watch video footage of Jim Jones, I am reminded of the behavior of Yogi Bhajan. An immediate and strong reaction is triggered. How did 900 of Jones' followers die, when none of Yogi Bhajan's have? Could it just have been the luck of the draw? Or is it possible that two such similarly charismatic characters differed so greatly - that one wanted death to all, and one wanted to spare it? Is there any tangible evidence that Yogi Bhajan was as coercive as Jim Jones was - evidence that reflects my own exclusive and specific reaction to Jones?
Yes. The tangible evidence is that Yogi Bhajan went everywhere with a bodyguard who was ready and willing to kill or be killed in order to save his life. I was told as a child that Yogi Bhajan had had several attempts made on his life, and so from there on out he needed protection - for the good of the dharma. I was told that the people who threatened him were "crazy and obsessed", or "couldn't move on".
Bottom line is, I don't know if there is any actual proof that attempts were made to hurt or kill him. But I do know that many people, some second generationers, were expected to guard him with their lives, and perhaps die for him.