America's largest modern Hindu temple in Robbinsville, NJ, a marvel of craftsmanship, is embroiled in a scandal involving allegations of forced labor, visa fraud, medical neglect, and worker deaths from silicosis among Dalit laborers from India during its construction.
The Baps Swaminarayan Akshardham, the largest modern Hindu mandir outside India, located in Robbinsville, New Jersey, is a sprawling 185-acre complex renowned for its breathtaking, hand-carved stone craftsmanship that took millions of hours to complete. However, behind its beauty lies a dark story of alleged worker abuse, visa fraud, and medical neglect during its construction between 2015 and 2023. Two hundred Dalit workers from Rajasthan, India, members of the lowest caste, claim they were subjected to grueling 90-hour work weeks for as little as $1.20 an hour, had their passports confiscated, and were denied adequate contact with their families. They also allege a severe lack of proper personal protective equipment (PPE), such as N95 masks, while carving stone, leading to widespread respiratory illnesses. At least two laborers, Ramesh Meena and Devi Lal, are believed to have died from silicosis, an irreversible lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust, while others were diagnosed with tuberculosis and chronic bronchitis. One worker's roommate also died by suicide after returning to India, with depression and working conditions cited as contributing factors. Workers recount being sent back to India if they developed health issues and being discouraged from seeking outside medical care. The temple denies these allegations, asserting a 'ministerial exception' and stating that the workers were religious 'volunteers' (Seva) on R-1 visas, provided with government-inspected housing, meals, flights, medical care, and unmonitored internet access. However, workers and human rights experts argue that 'Seva' was a pretext for forced labor, labeling it 'modern slavery' rooted in historical Dalit exploitation. Federal agents removed 90 workers in 2021, though a criminal investigation closed without charges. A civil lawsuit against Baps is now resuming, with workers seeking backpay and compensation for harm. The case highlights the devastating human cost behind monumental religious structures, with one worker stating, 'People appreciate the art but they don’t know the blood.'
