Eiffel Tower scandal: How a Hindu sect’s visit sparked an uproar in France
Unions allege women on the monument’s staff were sidelined during the visit, which the group has disputed
A Hindu sect's visit to the Eiffel Tower in Paris has sparked controversy in France after employees reported being moved from their posts or replaced by male colleagues while the delegation was present. The Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) group visited the monument on Saturday. In response, Eiffel Tower employees walked out on Monday, closing the monument for a day before reopening on Tuesday.
France’s CGT trade union disclosed that female employees and contractors were prohibited from entering or traversing certain areas during the visit. SETE, the company managing the Eiffel Tower, acknowledged that the delegation had requested measures limiting interactions with women, stating the conditions "should not have been accepted."
BAPS, however, denied the allegations of gender exclusion, stating the visit was arranged with the tower management due to the group's size and was "never intended as a request rooted in gender." The organization emphasized its commitment to equality and mutual respect. A new BAPS Swaminarayan temple was inaugurated in a suburb outside Paris on Sunday, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivering the address remotely.
Founded in India in 1907, BAPS is a prominent global Hindu organization with over a million followers worldwide. The sect, known for its elaborate temples and cultural complexes, has faced accusations of gender discrimination despite its historical commitment to women's empowerment. In France, where gender equality is a constitutional principle, French officials argued that religious or cultural considerations cannot justify different treatment of women in public spaces.
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