India has described the
controversy surrounding female employees at the Eiffel Tower as an issue between the organisations directly involved. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Indian government was aware of the inauguration of a BAPS temple near Paris. However, it made it clear that the dispute involving the Eiffel Tower was not a matter between the Indian and French governments.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the issue during a press briefing on Tuesday. “We are aware of the opening of a temple by the BAPS Sanstha in the Paris area. As to the particular issue pertaining to the Tower, this is a matter purely between the entities concerned,” Jaiswal said.
Eiffel Tower Closed After Staff Strike
The controversy emerged after Eiffel Tower employees went on strike on Monday. The landmark was temporarily closed following allegations that female workers were asked to move away from their usual positions during a visit by a BAPS delegation.
The reported incident took place on Saturday. Around 100 people linked to BAPS, or Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, visited the famous Paris landmark, according to reports.
Diane Davoine, a union representative, said female workers were allegedly moved from their workstations as the delegation passed through the tower. “moved away from their workstations as the delegation passed by”.
Employees criticised the instructions they said were given to female staff during the visit. They described the measures as "professional instructions that led to female employees being sidelined, replaced and made invisible because of their sex".
Eiffel Tower Operator Acknowledges Delegation's Request
Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), the company that operates the Eiffel Tower, confirmed that the visiting Hindu delegation had requested arrangements designed to “limit interactions with women”.
However, the company acknowledged that it should not have agreed to those conditions. SETE said "these conditions should not have been accepted". The CGT trade union also condemned the reported instructions. It said female employees were treated differently because of their gender.
"Some were asked to leave their posts and withdraw to other areas. In some posts they were replaced by men," the union said. "And all female employees were instructed not to go through or cross certain areas while the delegation was present."
The allegations led to a staff walkout and the temporary closure of the Eiffel Tower. The landmark receives nearly seven million visitors every year. It was expected to reopen on Tuesday after management held discussions with employees.
Paris Mayor Calls for Investigation
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire backed the concerns raised by Eiffel Tower workers and said an investigation would be launched. He described the employees' anger as legitimate and said the reported arrangements were unacceptable.
“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,” Gregoire said on X.
He also stressed that the Eiffel Tower must uphold equality and freedom for everyone.
“It is not acceptable that such conditions can be tolerated. These are neither my values, nor those that the Eiffel Tower should uphold, where everyone - regardless of gender - should be able to move about and act freely, without distinction between women and men. It is urgent that full light be shed on the facts that led to this mobilisation.”
Gregoire further emphasised that gender equality must apply across Paris, including at the city's historic 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. e also pledged to ensure that the principle was followed without exceptions.
“I will ensure this, everywhere and without exception. An investigation will be launched as quickly as possible.”
BAPS Apologises Over Incident
BAPS responded to the controversy by expressing regret and apologising to anyone who may have been affected. The BAPS Hindu temple in Paris said it understood the concerns raised by the Eiffel Tower staff and was taking them seriously.
The organisation said the visit had been planned in advance with Eiffel Tower officials. It said the delegation arrived at the beginning of normal opening hours to reduce disruption to other visitors.
"To our knowledge, at no time was access to the Eiffel Tower denied to anyone," BAPS said in a statement on X.
The organisation also offered "our sincere apologies to anyone who may have been hurt or inconvenienced by this situation".
BAPS added that it remained "deeply committed to the universal values of mutual respect and service to others".
The statement came amid allegations from workers that female employees had been moved away from certain positions and areas during the delegation's visit.
What Is BAPS?
According to its website, BAPS is a “socio-spiritual Hindu faith with its roots in the Vedas” and is based on “practical spirituality”.
The organisation says it has a global following of more than one million people.
It also operates more than 1,300 temples across different parts of the world. These include North America, Europe, Africa, West Asia, India and the Asia-Pacific region.
BAPS is involved in religious, cultural, social and community activities. Its work includes running temples and organising events for Hindu communities in several countries.
BAPS Opens Major Temple Near Paris
The Eiffel Tower controversy comes shortly after BAPS consecrated its first major temple in France.
The temple, located near Paris, was reportedly consecrated on Sunday.
The opening has been accompanied by religious and cultural activities involving BAPS followers from France and other parts of the world.
The temple's inauguration and the Eiffel Tower controversy have together brought increased attention to the organisation's activities in France.
Meanwhile, French authorities and Eiffel Tower management are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the delegation's visit and the instructions reportedly given to female employees.
