{
  "id": 6615166,
  "title": "The BAPS Controversy: Keep Faith Out Of Government",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/the-baps-controversy-keep-faith-out-of-government",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-10T16:48:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/the-baps-controversy-keep-faith-out-of-government"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Indian government has chosen to distance itself from the controversy surrounding the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a religious organization from Gujarat. Allegations have emerged that female employees at the Eiffel Tower were asked to remain out of sight during a visit by BAPS monks. This led to the closure of the landmark for a full day as workers protested in solidarity with their female colleagues, who were reportedly sidelined during the visit. French authorities are investigating the matter, while BAPS has denied any wrongdoing and issued an apology.\n\nThis incident has sparked questions about the appropriateness of the government's close ties to the organization. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had addressed attendees of the inauguration of a BAPS temple in the Paris region via video call, and Indian embassy officials were present at the ceremony. Additionally, Modi joined the organization's spiritual leader in inaugurating a temple in the United Arab Emirates. While it is not inherently problematic for a religious organization to have a temple in another country or for citizens to follow religious practices, the situation becomes problematic when it involves public institutions and the treatment of women employees.\n\nBAPS claims that its monks adhere to strict rules regarding contact with women. However, these practices should not be allowed to extend into public institutions in a manner that humiliates or discriminates against female workers. This dilemma poses a challenge for the government, which emphasizes women's dignity and empowerment through its Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign. How can a government that advocates for the empowerment of women simultaneously condone a situation where women workers are allegedly expected to remain unseen by visiting monks?\n\nThe controversy also sheds light on the existence of dissent within religious traditions. A faction that separated from BAPS reportedly established a sect where women could assume leadership roles as monks. This demonstrates that religious practices are not set in stone and can be subject to debate and reinterpretation. Ultimately, the paramount principle should take precedence over any particular incident. The mere establishment of a religious group's temple does not automatically signify robust bilateral relations, and political leaders' participation in religious ceremonies should not be deemed a measure of diplomatic success.\n\nTo maintain a healthy and respectful relationship with religious organizations, a secular government must keep a reasonable distance from them. In this specific case, adhering to this principle could have spared the government the embarrassment of addressing an incident that occurred in Paris.",
  "summary": "The Government of India has done well to dissociate itself from the controversy surrounding the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a religious organisation from Gujarat, after allegations that women employees of the Eiffel Tower were asked to remain out of sight during a visit by its monks. However, whether the government can completely extricate itself from the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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."
}