Indian Labourers filed a lawsuit against a Hindu Organisation based In the USA
BAPS has been facing backlash after being accused of treating its workforce in inhumane condition.
BAPS or Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, which is a prominent Hindu organization in the West, has been accused of forced labour and wage violation. The organisation has come under the attention of the federal agency after a 17-year-old worker who died in 2017 which also led to its gradual decline in its reputation. On Tuesday, the FBI raided the Swaminarayan temple which is in New Jersey, United States of America.
Around 200 workers were forced to sign the contract which was in English, according to the lawsuit. They all travelled to the US under an R-1 visa which is meant for those who work in religious places or occupation.
Upon their arrival, their passports were confiscated and they were made to work for long hours i.e from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m with only a few days off. Despite all of this, they were paid $1.20 per hour, although the minimum wage in New Jersey is around is $12 per hour. One of the workers complained that they were being blackmailed by the organisation. They were misled to believe that if they leave the job, the police will arrest the labourers as they didn’t have their passports. However, BAPS CEO denied any allegations regarding the wage violation.
The workers hired are from the Dalit community which is considered low in the caste hierarchy. D.B. Sagar, president of the Commission for Dalit Rights said that the Dalit community in India is considered a poor section of society and hence they are easily exploited.
A 37-year-old worker named Manish Kumar quit his job and returned to India after a worker died due to illness. Manish contacted Swati Sawant, an immigration lawyer, who began her investigation in this matter. She organised and arranged a legal team with the construction workers to bring up the case.
BAPS besides being a global sector for Hinduism is also known for its charitable work and taking initiative in helping India during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many speculate that they have links with the current ruling party in the Centre i.e Bhartiya Janta Party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid homage to its late leader Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Not only that, but they also donated a large sum of money for the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
