Temple Built on Slave Labor and Lung Disease
The article details allegations of worker abuse, visa fraud, and medical neglect during the construction of the Baps Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey. Reports from anonymous workers, primarily from the Dalit caste in India, describe grueling work schedules, wages as low as $1.20 per hour, and unsafe conditions that led to severe respiratory illnesses like silicosis, with at least two deaths attributed to the disease. While Baps denies these claims, asserting that workers were volunteers provided with housing and care, a civil lawsuit is moving forward. The case highlights historical exploitation of Dalit laborers and raises concerns about the use of R-1 visas for religious workers.
John Q. Hosedrinker