France's political leaders have strongly criticised allegations that female employees at the Eiffel Tower were asked to leave their workstations or stay away from certain areas during a private visit by a BAPS delegation. The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) delegation reportedly visited the Paris landmark on Monday. Staff members alleged that some female workers were moved from their positions while the group was present. BAPS has denied the allegations. However, the controversy led Eiffel Tower employees to go on strike. The landmark was temporarily closed as a result. The incident has sparked a wider debate in France about gender equality, religious practices and the country's republican principles.

Gabriel Attal Condemns Reported Restrictions

Former French Prime Minister and 2027 presidential contender Gabriel Attal strongly criticised the reported treatment of female workers. “In France, no culture, no belief, no worship, nothing nor anyone can come dictate to women their place," Attal said. Equality Minister Aurore Bergé also condemned the allegations. “In France, we do not ask women to step aside,” she wrote on X. Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally and another potential 2027 presidential candidate, also called for the incident to be investigated. “In France, we will never accept that the presence of women be limited. The whole truth must be brought to light,” Le Pen said.

Paris Mayor Announces Investigation

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said he would investigate what happened during the visit. “I am taking note of the anger expressed by the employees of the Eiffel Tower, and I want to tell them that their discontent is legitimate,” he said. Grégoire stressed that France's commitment to equality must apply everywhere, including its most famous landmarks. “Equality between women and men will never stop at the foot of our historical monuments, nor anywhere in this city. It must be applied everywhere, for everyone,” he added. Île-de-France regional president Valérie Pécresse also expressed shock over the allegations. She said she was particularly concerned by claims that female employees had been asked to stay away from the delegation's route. “Shocked to learn that during a visit to the Eiffel Tower organized by Atout France, a Hindu delegation including religious figures requested that female employees be kept out of their path. I personally informed the representatives of BAPS in France that such practices are contrary to the laws of the Republic,” Pécresse said.

What Happened at the Eiffel Tower?

According to staff representatives, female employees were allegedly instructed to leave some workstations or avoid specific areas while the BAPS delegation moved through the Eiffel Tower. In some cases, male workers were reportedly placed in their positions instead. French media reported that around 100 members of the Hindu organisation were part of the visit. Diane Davoine, a staff union representative, described the alleged instructions to Reuters. “During the visit of this delegation, women were asked to leave their places of work in order to place men there.” She said some female employees were moved to other areas and told not to pass through particular sections while the delegation was present. “We have the case of a female welcome agent who was removed from operating the elevator so that a man could be placed there," Davoine said. The union representative said the affected women “felt humiliated” by what happened. The employees later met management and staged a walkout. Their action forced the Eiffel Tower to close temporarily on Monday. The landmark was expected to reopen on Tuesday after the strike.

Eiffel Tower Operator Admits Request Was Made

The Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), which operates the landmark, confirmed that the delegation had asked for arrangements that would reduce “interactions with women”. However, SETE said it should not have agreed to those conditions. SETE president Ariel Weil said the arrangements were inconsistent with the organisation's principles and France's commitment to gender equality. “The conditions should not have been accepted.” “It is clearly not an acceptable practice. I restate the Eiffel Tower's commitment to republican values and to the equality of men and women,” Weil told AFP. The company has promised to review the circumstances surrounding the visit.

BAPS Responds to the Allegations

BAPS rejected the suggestion that it deliberately sought to discriminate against women or prevent them from accessing the Eiffel Tower. The organisation issued an apology to anyone who may have been hurt or inconvenienced by the arrangements. On X, the BAPS Hindu temple in Paris said the visit had been planned in advance with Eiffel Tower officials. It said the delegation visited during the monument's regular opening hours. "To our knowledge, at no time was access to the Eiffel Tower denied to anyone. Nevertheless, we wish to offer our sincere apologies to anyone who may have been hurt or inconvenienced by this situation. We are deeply committed to the universal values of mutual respect and service to others," BAPS said. The organisation added, “We respect the concerns raised and take them very seriously.” BAPS said its visit was coordinated with the Eiffel Tower team. However, the controversy has continued because staff members have described specific instructions that allegedly affected female employees.

Visitors to Receive Ticket Refunds

Eiffel Tower management met workers at a general assembly on Tuesday morning. Management promised “a thorough review of the conditions under which this visit was organized” and said it would draw “all necessary conclusions” from the review. Visitors who had purchased tickets for the affected period will receive refunds, according to management. Employees later held another general assembly. It included members of the evening team who, according to CGT union general secretary Denis Vavassori, had experienced “sexist violence on Saturday”. Following the meeting, workers decided to return to their jobs on Tuesday, Vavassori told franceinfo. “An agreement to regulate VIP delegations will be examined in the coming weeks,” he added. The proposed rules could determine how special visits by high-profile or large delegations are organised in the future.

BAPS Holds Events Across France

The controversy comes as BAPS members have taken part in several religious and cultural events across France. Thousands of Hindu devotees associated with the organisation have attended processions and celebrations in recent days. BAPS said a procession “led by women and girls of all ages” took place in Bussy-Saint-Georges. The organisation also said more than 5,500 devotees from different parts of the world participated in a boat procession on the River Seine. BAPS operates and manages ornate Hindu temples in several countries. Its Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey, is des8. The Eiffel Tower controversy has now placed BAPS' activities in France under greater public attention, while authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the treatment of female workers during the private visit.