{
  "id": 6224136,
  "title": "‘Unacceptable’: Marine Le Pen condemns removal of female staff during Hindu group’s visit to Eiffel Tower",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/unacceptable-marine-le-pen-condemns-removal-of-female-staff-during",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T03:19:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/world/unacceptable-marine-le-pen-condemns-removal-of-female-staff-during-hindu-group-s-visit-to-eiffel-tower-11788836515234.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Paris authorities are investigating allegations that female staff were sidelined during a visit by a Hindu group to the Eiffel Tower on Sunday. The incident sparked a staff strike, forcing the iconic monument to close for the day. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire announced an investigation would be launched, expressing sympathy for employees' anger, which he deemed legitimate. Marine Le Pen, leader of France's National Rally party, condemned the act, stating that France would never tolerate limiting the presence of women. In a statement, Eiffel Tower staff alleged they were instructed to make themselves invisible to welcome the delegation, with some being asked to leave their posts and replaced by men. SETE, which runs the tower, acknowledged the delegation's request to limit interactions with women, saying such conditions contradicted their values of equality. The BAPS delegation, comprising around 100 members, was visiting the tower to mark the inauguration of a new Hindu temple in the Paris suburbs. BAPS apologized for any inconvenience caused, maintaining they were not prevented access to the monument.",
  "summary": "An investigation is underway in Paris after female staff were allegedly sidelined during a BAPS visit to the Eiffel Tower, leading to a strike. Officials, including Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire, have condemned the actions and pledged to uphold gender equality at the iconic monument.",
  "key_points": [
    "Paris authorities investigate removal of female staff during Hindu group's Eiffel Tower visit",
    "Marine Le Pen condemns limiting women's presence at iconic monument",
    "Eiffel Tower staff instructed to make themselves invisible for Hindu delegation"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The incident reveals a clash between the Eiffel Tower's stated values of equality and the reported actions of staff to sideline female employees, with implications for reputations and social attitudes.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}