Paris: The iconic Eiffel Tower was temporarily closed to visitors on Monday after employees staged a protest over allegations that female staff members were asked to step away from their posts during a private visit by a Hindu religious delegation linked to BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha).
The incident has sparked a debate in France over workplace equality and the treatment of women, while Paris authorities have ordered an investigation into what happened.
What Happened At The Eiffel Tower?
According to union representatives, around 100 people associated with BAPS visited the Eiffel Tower on Saturday as part of events surrounding the inauguration of a Hindu temple near Paris.
Staff representatives alleged that female employees were asked to leave their normal workstations as the delegation passed through. In some locations, male employees reportedly replaced them.
Workers said the instructions effectively required female staff to remain out of sight during the delegation’s visit. The allegations led to growing frustration among employees over the weekend.
The Eiffel Tower’s operating company, SETE, acknowledged that arrangements had been requested to limit interactions between the delegation and female employees. Management subsequently said that such conditions should not have been accepted because they conflicted with the company’s values and the principle of equality between men and women.
Eiffel Tower Employees Protest
Following the controversy, employees held a meeting on Monday to discuss the incident and demand assurances that female workers would not be subjected to similar treatment again.
The protest resulted in the Eiffel Tower being closed to visitors. A notice at the monument said its opening had been delayed because of operational circumstances.
A union representative said tensions had increased over the weekend and that employees wanted to open a dialogue with management while making clear that women should never again be treated in this manner.
Management reportedly apologised to staff over the incident.
Paris Authorities Order Investigation
The controversy has drawn strong reactions from French political leaders.
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said an investigation would be launched as soon as possible. He described the employees’ concerns as legitimate and called for the circumstances surrounding the incident to be fully examined.
The controversy also prompted criticism from other French political figures, who stressed that gender equality is a fundamental principle in France.
National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet said welcoming visitors should not require France to compromise its values concerning the equal participation of women in public life.
BAPS Issues Apology
BAPS has apologised following the controversy but said the delegation did not intend to prevent anyone from accessing the Eiffel Tower.
In its statement, BAPS said the visit had been arranged at the beginning of normal opening hours because of the size of the delegation and to avoid inconvenience to other visitors.
The organisation said that, to its knowledge, nobody was denied access to the monument and expressed regret for any “pain or inconvenience” caused by the situation.
The statement also said BAPS takes the concerns raised seriously and believes in universal values of mutual respect and service.
Why Was The BAPS Delegation In France?
The delegation was in France during events connected with the inauguration of a new Hindu temple in the Paris region.
The private Eiffel Tower visit reportedly involved around 100 people associated with BAPS. The visit was arranged separately from the tower’s normal public operations.
Eiffel Tower Expected To Resume Operations
The Eiffel Tower remained closed during Monday’s staff protest, with reports indicating that employees expected normal operations to resume on Tuesday.
The controversy, however, is likely to continue as authorities examine how the arrangements for the private delegation were made and who authorised the instructions concerning female employees.
For now, both the management response and BAPS apology have focused on addressing the concerns raised by staff, while the investigation is expected to establish the exact sequence of events.
A Wider Debate Over Equality
The incident has triggered a broader discussion in France about the balance between accommodating religious or cultural visitors and maintaining workplace equality.
The Eiffel Tower is one of France’s most recognisable landmarks, attracting millions of visitors each year. The dispute has therefore received considerable public and political attention, particularly because the allegations involve instructions that reportedly affected employees based on their gender.
As the investigation progresses, further details are expected to clarify how the controversial arrangements came about and whether they violated workplace policies or other regulations.
