Ngôi đền Hindu trị giá 96 triệu đô la mở cửa giữa những cáo buộc về lao động cưỡng bức

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Hindu pilgrims (người hành hương theo đạo) walked barefoot (chân trần) on the marble (đá cẩm thạch) floors of the enormous (khổng lồ) temple, examining intricate (phức tạp) stone carvings of deities (chạm khắc các vị thần) etched (khắc) into the ceilings and images of musical instruments and elephants along the white walls.

As they approached a large gold shrine (ngôi đền), many gasped in wonder, having arrived at the place where they believe God resides in the form of sacred (linh thiêng) images.

The recent opening of Akshardham Mahamandir in Robbinsville, N.J., was a historic moment for Hindus in New Jersey and beyond. The temple, about 15 years in the making, is believed to be the largest in the Western Hemisphere and is expected to draw religious pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.

... Federal law enforcement agents raided the temple construction site in 2021 after workers accused (cáo buộc) the builders, a prominent (nổi tiếng) Hindu sect with ties to Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and his ruling party (đảng cầm quyền), of forced labor (lao động cưỡng bức), low wages and poor working conditions. Their lawyers said workers who were Dalit, the lowest rung (bậc) in India’s caste system (hệ thống đẳng cấp), were specifically targeted. A federal criminal investigation (cuộc điều tra hình sự liên bang) is ongoing, as is a wage claim lawsuit.

... the temple, which sits on 180 acres and includes 10,000 statues (bức tượng) and spires nearly 200 feet tall,

source: nytimes,