Eiffel Tower shuts after female staff allegedly sidelined during Hindu group's visit

The Eiffel Tower was closed to visitors on Monday following a protest by staff who alleged that female employees were sidelined during a Hindu religious group's visit, according to Euronews. The iconic Paris landmark's operator, SETE, cited "exceptional circumstances" as the reason for the closure. Around 100 people linked to the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Hindu movement inaugurated a new temple in France over the weekend, prompting the incident.

Union representative Diane Davoine told French TV that female workers had been moved away from their workstations during the delegation's visit. SETE acknowledged the delegation's request to limit interactions with women but stated that such conditions should not have been accepted. BAPS apologized for any pain or inconvenience caused and denied preventing anyone from accessing the Eiffel Tower.

Paris mayor Emmanuel Gregoire called the situation "unacceptable" and vowed to investigate the incident, while National Assembly president Yael Braun-Pivet emphasized that women should not be told to step aside for foreign visitors. The incident occurred a day after BAPS inaugurated its first major Hindu temple in France, highlighting the growing presence of the Hindu community in the country.