The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha in the US has welcomed the choice by the US Division of Justice (DOJ) and the US Legal professional’s Workplace for New Jersey to shut their investigation of BAPS and the creation of BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham.In its assertion issued on Thursday, BAPS stated that the temple “a spot of peace, service and devotion” was constructed by the dedication and volunteer work of hundreds of devotees. The group highlighted that adversity needs to be met with cooperation, humility and a dedication to fact, reflecting the advantage of “Satyameva Jayate (fact will all the time prevail)”.The assertion added that the temple stands as a logo of the Hindu neighborhood’s contributions to American society. The group invited all to go to Akshardham to expertise its artwork, traditions, devotion and spirit of service.The Hindu American Basis (HAF) praised the closure of the investigation. In a publish on X, HAF stated, “The Division of Justice & US Legal professional’s Workplace of New Jersey have CLOSED their investigation of the most important Hindu temple on this nation Akshardham.” It described the 2021 raid as being “prompted by horrific false allegations, together with that of ‘caste discrimination,’” which had “shocked the Hindu American neighborhood.”HAF added that whereas the choice is welcome, the Hindu neighborhood stays outraged that BAPS and Hindu Individuals needed to endure 4 years of vilification and anti-Hindu sentiment. The group expressed help for BAPS’ public affairs workplace and praised their assertion as rooted within the highest values of Hindu dharma.
Background: 2021 investigation and lawsuit
The investigation adopted a 2021 FBI raid prompted by a lawsuit alleging that employees from marginalized communities in India have been delivered to the US, compelled to work lengthy hours for minimal pay and lived underneath strict surveillance, information company Related Press reported. The lawsuit accused BAPS leaders, together with CEO Kanu Patel of human trafficking and wage legislation violations.In line with the lawsuit, greater than 200 employees many Dalits and non-English audio system have been coerced into signing employment agreements in India. They traveled to the US underneath R-1 visas, that are supposed for many who minister or work in non secular vocations or occupations.Upon arrival, their passports have been reportedly confiscated, and so they have been compelled to work on the temple from 6.30 am to 7.30 pm, with few days off, for roughly $450 monthly, of which solely $50 was paid in money and the rest deposited into accounts in India.The employees allegedly lived in a fenced compound underneath fixed digital camera surveillance and have been warned that leaving might end in police arrest as a result of they didn’t have their passports. The lawsuit names Patel and a number of other different supervisors and seeks unpaid wages together with unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.Patel had dismissed the declare on the time. He instructed The New York Occasions, “I respectfully disagree with the wage declare.”
