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BAPS welcomes end of U.S. investigation into NJ Akshardham
The closure follows a 2021 lawsuit that alleged exploitative labor practices during the temple’s construction.
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Staff Reporter - Thu, 18, Sep 2025
- 12:44 EDT
- 27
BAPS temple / BAPS
The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha in the United States welcomed on Sept. 18 the decision by federal authorities to close their investigation into the organization and the construction of BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Jersey.
“The United States Government’s decision to end this investigation sends a clear and powerful message in support of what our organization has maintained from the outset: that BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham—a place of peace, service, and devotion—was built through the love, dedication, and volunteer service of thousands of devotees from all walks of life,” the organization said in a statement.
Also Read: BAPS Charities hosts career fair in Houston
BAPS described the Akshardham as a “landmark” that reflects the contributions of the Hindu community in the U.S. “The Hindu community in the United States represents a comparatively newer faith tradition in this country. Yet the fact that our community came together to create such a landmark is a testament to the values that make America great,” the statement said.
The organization stated that its teachings emphasize faith, humility, and cooperation in the face of adversity, and that it has emerged "with renewed strength and deepened faith—in God and the enduring spirit of this nation," citing the guidance of its spiritual leader, Mahant Swami Maharaj.
The statement concluded with an open invitation to the public to visit the Akshardham and experience its art, traditions, and devotional spirit.
The now-closed investigation stemmed from a federal lawsuit filed in May 2021, alleging that construction workers, many from marginalized communities, were brought to the United States on R-1 religious visas, paid as little as $1.20 per hour, forced to work long hours, and housed in substandard living conditions.
The allegations prompted multiple federal agencies, including the FBI, Department of Labor, and Department of Homeland Security, to launch inquiries and conduct searches at the construction site.
In subsequent years, several of the original plaintiffs withdrew from the lawsuit, with some stating that they had been misled or coerced into joining. The dispute also fueled debate over whether labor on faith-based projects should be considered devotional service, or seva, rather than work falling under U.S. labor and immigration laws.
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