The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially closed its investigation into allegations of forced labor at the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey—the largest Hindu temple in the Western Hemisphere. The investigation was initiated following a 2021 raid prompted by claims from Indian workers brought to the U.S. on R-1 religious worker visas.
Background of the Allegations
In May 2021, six workers filed a civil lawsuit alleging they were coerced into performing strenuous construction tasks under poor conditions, with confiscated passports and inadequate compensation. An amended complaint later added 15 more plaintiffs; however, 12 of them withdrew, stating they were misled by legal counsel.
The temple’s leadership has consistently maintained that the workers were volunteers, referred to as “sevaks,” who considered their participation a form of spiritual service. They emphasized that the construction was a collective effort involving over 12,500 individuals from various backgrounds and countries.
DOJ’s Decision and Community Response
The DOJ’s decision to close the criminal investigation was welcomed by BAPS officials, who expressed relief and reaffirmed their commitment to transparency and 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.
Ongoing Civil Litigation
Despite the closure of the criminal investigation, the civil lawsuit remains active in federal court. BAPS leaders are optimistic about a favorable outcome, citing the DOJ’s findings as supportive of their position. The civil case is scheduled to resume at an unscheduled date, with both sides preparing for further proceedings.
