Eiffel Tower Row: Paris Orders Probe After Women Staff Asked To Step Aside During Hindu Group's Visit

Paris city officials have launched an investigation after female staff at the Eiffel Tower were allegedly asked to step aside during a private visit by a Hindu religious delegation. The incident occurred on Saturday when a group of about 100 people from the Hindu organization Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) visited the landmark.

According to union representative Diane Davoine, women were asked to leave their workstations so that men could take their places, causing tensions among employees. As a result, the Eiffel Tower was temporarily closed on Monday, and employees held a meeting to address the incident and ensure women are never treated this way. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire acknowledged the employees' anger and emphasized the legitimacy of their dissatisfaction, stating that no one should be told to become invisible in public life.

BAPS representatives apologized for any pain or inconvenience caused and noted that the delegation had been arranged at the start of opening hours due to their size. The investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged removal of female employees and the subsequent staff protest.