BAPS in America was charged with human trafficking and the use of forced labour on its construction site in America in May 2021. It has now emerged (archived tweet) that these allegations were false and coerced.

PGS artisans withdraw allegations

Rajasthan’s Sirohi-based Pathar Ghadai Sangh (PGS) released a statement on July 13 claiming its artisans were coerced to make false allegations against BAPS. PGS is affiliated with Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS). Its statement says the labourers made the allegations under duress. They further alleged that advocate Swati Sawant misled the artisan volunteers and they were afraid to tell the truth as Sawant threatened to initiate police action and get the volunteers imprisoned.

The release was signed by Prabhuram Meena who is the general secretary of PGS. It states that 12 of the volunteers were pressured to join as plaintiffs. “Some of these artisan volunteers have now contacted advocate Aaditya SB Soni and informed him that an advocate in the US named Swati Sawant misled them into making the complaint and they now want to withdraw from it”, the release said.

“These artisans have been rendering their services for such BAPS temples, in India and in the US, for many years. In all this time, they have never experienced any pressure, casteism or discrimination at BAPS temples… These artisans have clarified that they were treated with love at the BAPS Swaminarayan temple where they served, and were well taken care of”, the release further noted.

“A dozen of these plaintiffs decided to withdraw their complaint and to remove their names from the case and asked Aaditya Soni for his help to inform the American courts and attorneys. The artisans have now withdrawn from the case and have voluntarily withdrawn their claims in court. Though their previous attorneys were informed three weeks ago, they are yet to submit this withdrawal to the court. Notarized affidavits, videotaped interviews, and statements in the presence of advocates support these claims.”, says the statement.

HAF’s Suhag Shukla wrote a detailed thread (archived tweet) explaining the witchhunt against BAPS. She says BAPS is being targeted not only because it is the largest Hindu temple but also due to its Gujarati roots. The aim is to bring up the ‘Modi’ factor wherever they can. “Modi is often used as a cudgel & excuse to target Hindu Americans”, she says.

BAPS raided by FBI

In May 2021, a group of Indian workers in the US filed a lawsuit alleging human trafficking and forced labour and claimed they were confined and forced to work for as low as USD 1 on the construction of the Swaminarayan temple in New Jersey’s Robbinsville. Following this, the temple was raided by the FBI.

“Worship through seva is an integral part of Bhakti in the sect and volunteers from around the world contribute for the same. The volunteers who take part in such construction activities of the temple regularly interact with people who come to visit. They are also regularly in touch with their family members back home. Many artisans went back home while some chose to stay back and perform seva at other temples in the US”, BAPS said in a statement.

The statement further says that the artisans came to America on an R-1 visa approved for 20 years by the federal government. The statement also said that federal, state and local government agencies have regularly inspected and approved all of the mandir construction projects on which the artisans volunteered. BAPS added that they maintain adequate security to ensure the safety of worshippers, visitors and volunteers at all their temples. BAPS officially denied all allegations and stands vindicated today.