"Beneath the beauty and sheer scale of the Robbinsville complex lies a darker story: allegations of worker abuse, visa fraud and medical neglect during the temple's construction between 2015 and 2023."
"Workers believe that at least two laborers, Ramesh Meena and Devi Lal died from a largely preventable, irreversible lung disease called silicosis, caused by inhaling fine silica dust produced while carving stone."
"Symptoms of silicosis include shortness of breath, persistent cough, chest pain and fatigue and can lead to severe disability and premature death."
"A person would prefer committing suicide rather than dying from silicosis because it's such a painful death, said a former Baps temple worker, who developed tuberculosis."
The Robbinsville Hindu mandir, the largest outside India, showcases intricate craftsmanship but is associated with serious allegations of worker abuse. Construction from 2015 to 2023 reportedly involved visa fraud and medical neglect. Workers claim that at least two laborers died from silicosis, a preventable lung disease caused by silica dust exposure. Others have suffered from respiratory illnesses. Workers, fearing retaliation, spoke anonymously about their experiences. The temple organization denies these allegations, citing a legal doctrine that protects religious institutions from court interference.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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