Eiffel Tower chief to quit after female staff replaced by men during religious visit

Patrick Branco Ruivo, the current chief executive of the company managing the Eiffel Tower, will resign following a controversy where male staff replaced female colleagues during a visit by a Hindu religious group. The incident occurred when a delegation of approximately 100 members from the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) group, a movement with roots in the 18th century, visited the iconic landmark earlier this month.

The Hindu delegation reportedly requested that interactions with women be minimized during their visit. As a result, male staff were brought in to replace female employees, leading to widespread outrage. The incident prompted the closure of the Eiffel Tower as staff members went on strike to express their discontent. This action drew condemnation from political figures, including Yaël Braun-Pivet, the president of France’s National Assembly, who stated that women should not be forced to step aside to accommodate foreign visitors' demands.

The Socialist mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Gregoire, called the decision "absurd, unjust, and unacceptable," and ordered two investigations into the matter. Ariel Weil, the chair of the Eiffel Tower management, announced on Tuesday that he had requested measures and training programs to promote gender equality. He added that the coming months would provide the necessary time to prepare for the leadership transition under the most favorable conditions.

SETE's chair, Ariel Weil, stated that the management intends to implement measures and training programs aimed at promoting gender equality. The BAPS group has apologized for any pain or inconvenience caused, emphasizing their commitment to universal values of mutual respect and service. The group describes itself as a spiritual, volunteer-driven fellowship dedicated to improving society through Hindu values.

With branches in major cities worldwide, including London, Los Angeles, and Sydney, BAPS draws its beliefs from the teachings of Lord Swaminarayan, a 18th-century celibate ascetic regarded as an incarnation of Vishnu, the revered Hindu god of preservation. While BAPS claims that the segregation of men and women was implemented for the benefit of women, critics argue that 18th-century beliefs have no place in today's world, and keeping women out in the name of religious practices is discriminatory.