The U.S. Department of Justice has closed its investigation into forced labor allegations at the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in New Jersey, while a civil lawsuit continues in federal court.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially concluded its investigation into allegations of forced labor at the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey. This temple is recognized as the largest Hindu temple in the Western Hemisphere. The investigation was launched following a raid in 2021, which was prompted by claims made by Indian workers who were brought to the United States on R-1 religious worker visas.
In May 2021, six workers filed a civil lawsuit, alleging they were coerced into performing strenuous construction tasks under poor working conditions. The lawsuit claimed that their passports were confiscated and that they were inadequately compensated for their labor. An amended complaint later introduced 15 additional plaintiffs; however, 12 of these individuals withdrew their claims, stating they had been misled by their legal counsel.
The leadership of the temple has consistently maintained that the workers were volunteers, referred to as “sevaks,” who regarded their participation as a form of spiritual service. They emphasized that the construction of the temple was a collective effort, involving over 12,500 individuals from diverse backgrounds and countries.
The DOJ’s decision to close the criminal investigation has been welcomed by officials at BAPS. They expressed relief and reaffirmed their commitment to transparency and community service. Lenin Joshi, a volunteer at the temple, described the community as “shaken” by the initial allegations but confident in the integrity of their efforts.
Despite the closure of the criminal investigation, the civil lawsuit remains active in federal court. Leaders at BAPS are optimistic about a favorable outcome, citing the DOJ’s findings as supportive of their position. The civil case is set to resume at an undetermined date, with both sides preparing for further proceedings.
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