Controversy Surrounds Opening of Largest Hindu Temple in US

The largest Hindu temple in the U.S., the BAPS Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey, is set to open after an eight-year building project. However, the opening is marred by controversy as a pending class action lawsuit alleges that the construction of the temple and other BAPS-operated temples involved the forced labor of hundreds of immigrant workers from India. The workers allegedly toiled in poor conditions for low wages, and the lawsuit claims that their passports were confiscated and their movement monitored. The temple and officials named in the lawsuit deny the charges, stating that the workers volunteered their time and labor. The allegations hang over the temple's opening, as well as other temple building projects in different states.