In a surprise to some, these funds cant be used for debt payments, a potential complication for fiscally stressed governments that had already etched out plans to pay off loans The rule could also affect New Jersey, which sold nearly $3.7 billion of bonds last year to cover its shortfall during the pandemic. She went to America and into the Sea Org where no child belongs. Because they have subjective belief systems called religion.. Instead Fulop had his spokesman blame the media for reporting his foolishness [Wetsuit wholesaler] Conrad Ferla cut to the heart of the matter. The FBI has also raided the building, from which they removed about 90 workers who were allegedly paid less than $1 USD per hour. As reported byAmerican Bazaar, the raid on the temple was conducted by three US Federal agencies including the FBI: Workers from India were paid $1.20 and their passports were confiscated: report. Her suit, filed in Essex County Superior Court, is believed to be the first to claim one of New Jerseys best known and longest-serving Catholic targeted a child for abuse. But given the number of religious people in the US (since were talking about US Law, Ill leave it at that) and the immense good done by well-meaning and sincere religious people and institutions, I would still argue that this amounts to an argument by exceptions. It seems like a joke but it isnt: Religion is a deadly serious activity as one practitioner of the business of religion remarked. To explore the site, enjoy the video below. "We believe in one god and that all men are created equal," Ranu said. There are parallels in other places. According to journalist Tyler Bridges, The Times-Picayune obtained a copy and traced its provenance to Duke, who compiled the content from womens self-help magazines. Religious workers in America are exempt from secular workplace protections as they are classed as volunteers and not employees. Scientology has some beautiful real estate and yet the Cult is infamous for hiding malicious conduct behind its guarded doors. Federal workplace safety inspectors determined it had been an accident. The lawsuit seeks unpaid wages for the workers and money for damages. The New York Times: The workers, who lived in trailers hidden from view, had been promised jobs helping to build the temple in rural Robbinsville, N.J., with standard work hours and ample time off, according to the lawsuit, a wage claim filed in U.S. District Court in New Jersey. A worker at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, N.J. have arrested a top leader of an opposition party, challenging Indias conservative attitude toward alcohol, the construction of the temple in Ayodhya, a 17-year-old boy who was among the groups of religious volunteers, the New Jersey State Department of Labor and Workforce Development ordered a construction company. Kishangarh marble dumping yard is a health hazard. If one is interested in exploring the rich Hindu culture without actually visiting India, then consider visiting this new and intricate temple. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, in Robbinsville, NJ is largest Hindu Temple in the United States. So this is a story worth keeping an eye on. Kakaleck represents six previous temple workers in a suit that involves at least 200 low-caste men allegedly lured from India to New Jersey. In the pandemic, the group has donated masks to hospitals in Los Angeles and has flown oxygen to India, which has been recently engulfed in a devastating Covid-19 outbreak. Ill have to look more into this. You will now start receiving email updates. One of the lawyers in the wage claim suit has said this could be the first forced labour casein the USsince 1995. The May raid on a Hindu temple in New Jersey, however, . New Jersey temple, Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, a Hindu sect known as BAPS, underpaid and exploited its workers . Believers feel these intangibles confer a benefit upon them and so they donate money and deduct that donation from their income tax. BJU appealed. The complaintadded thatthe workers passports had been confiscated, theywere givenlentils and potatoesfor mealsand that their paywas cutfor thesmallestof violations such as being seen without a helmet. Conversely, superstar hacker Kevin Mitnick had to resign from the Board of KnowBe4 when the company went public as convicted felons cannot serve on corporate boards. 3. ***** For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. In America, religious groups have no obligation whatsoever to make any financial disclosures to the IRS whatsoever so long as they do not earn any unrelated business income. A Hindu temple in the US state of Texas has been raided by burglars who stole some of the valuables from the premises, leaving the Indian community in a state of shock, according to a media. Even more is the fact that authorities would gladly go after the Hindus while leaving scientology to do the same if not worse. The complaint further said the workers were made to sign several documents, often in English, and tell US embassy staffers that they were skilled workers or decorative painters. Its a politically influential sect. Sheelagh McNeill contributed research. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Senate Democrats Jack Barnes, former U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, NJAIJ's Viri Martinez. Of course not, but this is what it has devolved into in far too many cases. Along with its temples, BAPS publicizes its good works. This person objected to the LDS demanding a 10% weekly tithe from young LDS couples with the large numbers of children the LDS also demands of them. Rabid Cult: Scientology Bites Dog Food Company; Attacks Cream Cheese; and Screams at Rolling Stone Magazine, Podcast with Aaron Smith-Levin: Grant Cardone Lawsuit Update & David Gentile Criminal Case, Scientologys Celebrity Centre in Hollywood was involved in covering up the alleged multiple forcible rapes committed by Danny Masterson. The sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. From The New York Times we learn that federal agents raided a massive Hindu temple in Robbinsville of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha . Please enter valid email address to continue. Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you. The Texas Supreme Court ruled that the children were not in any immediate danger. With nearly 400,000 Indian-born residents, New Jersey has one of the largest Indian immigrant populations in the country. The Texas Supreme Court stuck down the lower court that had authorized Texas Child Protective Services to take the children. The Mandir is geographically situated at the heart of the U.S. Northeast megalopolis and with relative proximity to Newark . 6. Located near Princeton, the temple draws followers from across the region. And I share your outrage that these criminals abuse the special trust and vulnerability that exists in a belief-based (religious or otherwise) relationship. They allegethat they werepaid $1 per hour for their work when the minimum wage in New Jersey is$12 per hour. The suit says the defendants lured low-caste men and members of other marginalized communities to work at the temple, which is still under construction. They were brought to the United States on religious visas, or R-1 visas temporary visas used for clergy and lay religious workers such as missionaries and presented to the U.S. government as volunteers, according to the claim. CBS New York reported on the massive raid on the Swaminarayan Akshardham Hindu temple: Categories: The Scientology Money Project, Tagged as: Church of Scientology, Dalit, FBI raid, Flag Land Base, Hinduism, L. Ron Hubbard, religious worker exploitation, Scientology, Sea Org, Swaminarayan Akshardham temple. The Nation of Islam has incurred severe criticism for these beliefs, but it has never faced any legal challenges over its religious right to embrace these core beliefs. His church ministry gives him a large media platform. The Catholic Church fought for over 20 years in its refusal to turn over internal records of pedophile priests sexually molesting boys. Awe-inspiring Hindu temple in New Jersey The temple complex sits off Route 130 in Robbinsville, intended as a pillar of the large Hindu population in New Jersey. Stafford school board will not renew contract of nurse who rebelled against mask mandate, A year living in a hotel with 3 kids. In any event, while my conclusion may differ from yours in this case, I am most thankful that youre putting the facts out there and following the money. Always good to read your blog! Gov. Duke even used the pseudonym Dorothy Vanderbilt to write a self-help book for women: Finders-Keepers: Finding and Keeping the Man You Want. Shortly after, Kumar contacted Swati Sawant in 2020, an immigration lawyer who then began investigating these claims. These constructed religious legal protections amount to an unfair advantage which benefits monotheists, polytheists, and other religionists while excluding secular persons. It says such R-1 visas are religious visas available to "those who minister or work in religious vocations or occupations" and are members of the religious denomination sponsoring the visa holders. FBI raids Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in New Jersey, BAPS accused of forced labour TV9 Telugu Website: https://tv9telugu.com/Watch LIVE: https://goo.gl/w3aQdeTo. I dont want to put words in your mouth, but it seems like [your testimony is saying] we couldnt have done better in New Jersey, said state Sen. Mike Testa (R-Cumberland), a former Trump campaign surrogate who harangued Persichilli for her refusal to testify before a Republican panel earlier this year. Daniel Werner, a lawyer in the wage claim suit, said he believed this could be the first forced-labor case of its scale in the United States since dozens of Thai garment workers were discovered laboring in horrible conditions in El Monte, Calif. in 1995 a landmark case that helped lead to the creation of the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Did the Founders want cynical and self-serving religious leaders and their churches to amass great wealth and power by conning simple believers and covering up for rapists and pedophiles in their midst? Inside Newarks affordable housing crisis, $15M in rent, utilities assistance coming to [Essex Countys] tenants, Bayonne council pres. #FBIRaidsOnHinduTemple #ShriSwaminarayanMandir #NewJersey #ABPNewsLive #ABPSanjha #ABPNews ' Hindu Temple ' FBI | BAPS | News Jersey | ABP S. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service. But whats striking is that this is in the United States, he said. 9. A "masterpiece of exquisite Indian design and workmanship" is how the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is described on its website. Of course, Scientology has had its internal culture of violence and cover up exposed many times. The New Jersey case, Mr. Werner said, could be compared to instances of severe worker exploitation seen overseas. The contradiction here is insane. Religions are legally allowed to do this as it is a matter of faith. BAPS has close ties to Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi, according to the article. It seems to me that hucksterism is a phenomenon that stretches across the religious and secular realms alike. The lawsuit, filed by six named workers in U.S. District Court in New Jersey, says at least 200 Indian nationals who work or have worked at the temple in Robbinsville would be part of the class. However, Jeffs still leads FLDS from prison. Scientology promises a generous wage and a better life in America. The temple has previously come to the attention of authorities. Its a human trafficking story the workers allegedly came over on religious visas for volunteers, had their passports taken an were confined to the grounds a class story and yes, even a political one. By signing up you agree to allow POLITICO to collect your user information and use it to better recommend content to you, send you email newsletters or updates from POLITICO, and share insights based on aggregated user information. And not just because New Jerseys growing South Asian community is starting to see its numbers reflected in political representation. The temple is located at 112 North Main Street, Robbinsville. To further illustrate this point, when one looks at the blessings promised by the likes of Osteen, typical televangelists or scientology even, these blessings are invariably material and self-centered. This is why the religious hypocrites that benefit from human suffering fight to maintain the status quo. ), and finally trusting in the durable comfort zone of the party line.. CORONAVIRUS TRACKER: 858 newly-reported positive PCR tests for a total of 881,171. It is allowed because First Amendment religious protections allow a convicted sex felon to run his White-only polygamist church from a prison cell. ***** I respectfully disagree with the wage claim, Kanu Patel, the chief executive of BAPS, told The New York Times, while noting he was not in charge of day-to-day operations at the site. The Mormons have amassed >$150 billion in cash and there is no requirement for them to spend it. This is an egregious abuse of the system that has been used by Scientology and other religions that want First Amendment protections to keep all abuse hidden and to strip victims of their rights to seek justice in secular courts. The New Jersey temple is meant to be the crown jewel in BAPSs growing number of American places of worship. GPB Capital Holdings: Court-Appointed Monitors Report on Q4 2022 Activities. Benny Hinn can blow on people and declare that they are healed. Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey, is a Hindu mandir (temple) complex. "There was a sense of invasion, that sense of loss of privacy when something like this happened to us," Srinivasa Sunkari, a Board member for the Brazos Valley Shri Omkarnath Temple said. The lawsuit says hundreds of workers from India suffered torturous treatment. Didnt he run on a campaign on being inclusive? Fulop has indeed pushed for inclusiveness in New Jersey., Deal public beach access: Would new parking rules keep out those who don't live here?, THE MASKLESS MARTYR Stafford school board will not renew contract of nurse who rebelled against mask mandate, by The Asbury Park Press Erik Larsen and Ken Serrano: The township school board has decided not to renew the contract of a school nurse who stopped wearing a facemask to work and who remains suspended without pay, according to the nurse, Erin Pein. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in federal court, accuses Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, a Hindu sect known as BAPS, and its leaders of "shocking violations," including forced labor, trafficking and wage theft. Religion in America has become an inherently abusive and cruel system that just keeps getting worse. Intangible spiritual benefits allows any religious group to take tax-exempt cash in exchange for conferring intangible spiritual benefits upon believers. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville Township, N.J., on Tuesday. wont support eminent domain, wants to negotiate BMC deal with HRH, Former Newark Archbishop sexually abused 5-year-old in church rectory, lawsuit claims, Swift action kept outbreak of COVID variant in NJ facility from spreading into community, How the closed pipeline and truck driver shortages could affect N.J. gas pumps, N.J.s famous Delaware River hot dog man, Greg Crance, dead at 56 from COVID, View all our political and policy newsletters, View the Full New Jersey Playbook Archives . CNN Six Indian men filed suit against a large Hindu temple in New Jersey on Tuesday, alleging that the prominent sect in charge of the facility lured them halfway around the world with. Why is this even allowed? When assault weapons become part of religiously-based White Supremacist groups, you get private racist militias with First Amendment religious protections. They are not free to leave. Dont miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. It is not illegal. US federal agents on Tuesday launched an investigation into a Hindu temple in New Jersey after workers alleged they were lured and forced to work more than 12 hours per day at slave wages to help build the temple. These abuses are compounded, in some instances, by Second Amendment protections whereby ideologically-driven religious zealots can own assault weapons and private arsenals. Is there any way we could have done something better in New Jersey?, EDNA MAHAN Despite law, NJ prison oversight on hold, by NJ Spotlights Colleen ODea: To ensure some level of dignity to the incarcerated, legislators last year passed a reform law that gave broad powers to the corrections ombudsman and created an advisory board to assist those efforts. Temples in New Jersey. None of this is religious work; it is all manual labor for pennies an hour. But chipping away at Constitutional guarantees, and trusting our govt aparatchiks to do so with unselfish motives is a bridge too far for me. FBI agents swarmed the site and tonight an attorney is calling the labor lawsuit against them one of the largest in decades.Tune into the @cwphilly at 10 and @CBSPhilly at 11 pic.twitter.com/62V95pNA21. "It was just an extremely traumatic and isolating experience," said Patricia Kakalec, an attorney representing the workers. The workers have been falsely brought to the U.S. on visas for religious workers and volunteers since May 2011, the lawsuit claims. Religious workers can be legally subjected to harsh ecclesiastical disciplines. Hicks also defended his departments soaring overtime costs before the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, OFFICIALS STRUGGLE TO INTRODUCE NEW JERSEYANS TO NOVEL CONCEPT OF BRIBERY With NJ COVID vaccine goal at risk, 'bribe people' an option to get more shots in arms, by The Records Scott Fallon and Kristie Kattafi: New Jersey's daily rate of COVID vaccinations has plummeted so much in recent weeks that it's casting doubt on whether Gov. Phil Murphys closest allies spent nearly $13.2 million during most of his first term to boost the Democrats agenda. This is our secret. The New Jersey Independent Victim Compensation Program, a board created by the Catholic Church to settle abuse claims out of court, reviewed the womans allegations last year, her attorney said. One of President Obamas answers was to have the US government purchase as much ammunition as possible form manufacturers and thereby cut off the supply of bullets to these groups. 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For hiding malicious conduct behind its guarded doors devolved into in far too many cases in 2020 an! Barnes, former U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, NJAIJ 's Viri Martinez the rich Hindu culture actually...