On September 18, the United States Department of Justice and the US Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey has shut the investigations against the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS) Mandir. The probe was undertaken in 2021 over alleged forced labour, caste discrimination and human trafficking in the sacred Mandir, where the lawsuit was filed by the group of Indian artisans. It was also alleged that labourers were forced to work for a mere USD 1 and labourers were forcefully taken from India to work at the temple in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New Jersey for a menial payment.
Earlier, BAPS was also targeted by false accusations by many left-wing organizations such as the New York Times. False claims were made regarding the forced labour in BAPS. Even a raid was conducted on the construction site of the BAPS mandir, however, no evidence was found. In 2019, CISCO caste discrimination case was imposed on the BAPS, New Jersey, but later, the case was dismissed for not able to find any solid evidence. Today, BAPS stands with a victory and with a renewed strength and spirit to serve the mankind.
Swami Brahmaviharidas, head of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, has hailed the closure of the investigation as the “restoration of faith in justice”. He also asserted that the allegations were false and the accusations were levied by certain “vested interests”. “Satyamev Jayate! We build a temple with love, faith, devotion and a spirit of volunteerism. Some people with the vested interest filed false accusations regarding when the temple was built, craftsmanship. The US government carried out an investigation into the temple for 4 years and finally closed it, saying no charges were ever filed and no charges were ever true. This restores faith in justice,” he added.” Swami Brahmaviharidas further said.
#WATCH | Abu Dhabi, UAE | BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir saint Swami Brahmaviharidas says, "Nobody had imagined and even historians told us that a beautiful temple in this region is unthinkable… His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who has built over 1200 temples across the world, had… pic.twitter.com/IoFtQXbpWg
— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2025
An official statement by the BAPS also noted that the US government’s decision to end the investigation reiterates a “powerful message” regarding the goals and principles of the organization. BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir is a place for peace, love, service and devotion. Thousands of volunteers who hail from various backgrounds render their service to the sacred shrine, the statement from BAPS further added.
BAPS also affirmed that one of the spiritual teachings of the BAPS is about in the face of adversity one must maintain with faith and respond with cooperation, humility and with a commitment of truth and understanding. Today’s decision of the US government is the result of these principles of the organization and these philosophies have aided in overcoming all the challenges, ultimately realizing “Satyameva Jayate”(Truth always prevails). Today’s decision of the US government has renewed the strength of the BAPS to work more and has reaffirmed the faith in the god and in the enduring spirit of the great nation, Bharat!
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