September 26, 2025
(RNS) — Federal authorities, led by the U.S. Department of Justice, have ended a four-year-long investigation into alleged human rights violations in the construction of the largest Hindu temple in the United States — an extensive probe that spanned two presidential administrations. No charges were brought against BAPS, the Hindu denomination accused of alleged human trafficking and forced labor in the building of the temple. But while the federal probe is closed, years of intense media scrutiny following a very public raid on the temple grounds leave critical questions about government overreach when targeting minority faiths.
Read Dr. Kalpesh Bhatt’s full article here.