Staff walkout closes iconic landmark after female workers allegedly sidelined during BAPS Hindu delegation visit; Paris mayor orders investigation as operator and group issue apologies

Paris: The Eiffel Tower closed to the public on Monday after staff protested against the treatment of female employees during a private visit by a Hindu religious delegation over the weekend.

Union representatives said officials asked female employees to leave their workstations, move to other areas or allow male colleagues to replace them. They said the instructions aimed to limit interactions between women and members of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).

Paris authorities have ordered an investigation into the incident. The Eiffel Tower’s operator, Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), said it should never have accepted the conditions. BAPS apologised for any pain or inconvenience but said no one was prevented from entering the monument.

What Happened at the Eiffel Tower?

Around 100 people linked to BAPS visited the Eiffel Tower privately on Saturday. The group had travelled to France for events celebrating the inauguration of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Bussy-Saint-Georges, near Paris.

Diane Davoine, a union representative for Eiffel Tower employees, said staff received instructions to leave their workstations as the delegation moved through the monument. Male colleagues replaced women at some posts, while other female employees had to move to different areas.

Staff representatives said the instructions left female workers “sidelined, replaced and made invisible because of their sex.”

SETE later confirmed that the delegation had asked the company to organise the visit in a way that limited “interactions with women.” The company said it should not have accepted the request because it conflicted with its values and the principle of equality between women and men.

Why Did BAPS Visit Paris?

BAPS is a global Hindu socio-spiritual organisation that follows the Swaminarayan tradition and has its headquarters in Ahmedabad, India.

The Eiffel Tower visit formed part of a 13-day Festival of Culture celebrating the consecration of the BAPS temple in Bussy-Saint-Georges. Spiritual leader Mahant Swami Maharaj conducted the consecration ceremony.

BAPS monks follow strict rules of celibacy that include avoiding physical contact with women and refraining from speaking to or intentionally looking at women. The organisation also practises gender segregation during some religious activities.

BAPS has not publicly explained the exact request it made to the Eiffel Tower regarding interactions with female employees.

Staff Protest and Official Response

Eiffel Tower employees held a meeting on Monday and voted to protest. The monument remained closed while staff raised concerns about the treatment of female workers.

Union representatives said they wanted management to address the issue and ensure that employees would not face similar treatment again. Management apologised to the staff.

SETE President Ariel Weil said the company would investigate what happened and take the necessary steps. He also reaffirmed the tower’s commitment to equality between women and men.

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire ordered an investigation and called the situation unacceptable. He said equality between women and men must apply everywhere and to everyone.

Several French politicians also criticised the reported treatment of female employees. They said religious or cultural preferences could not override France’s commitment to gender equality.

BAPS Apologises

BAPS said it took the concerns seriously and apologised for any pain or inconvenience caused.

The organisation said it arranged the large delegation’s visit with the Eiffel Tower team at the start of normal opening hours to avoid disrupting other visitors.

“To the best of our knowledge, at no point was anyone prevented access to the Eiffel Tower,” BAPS said.

However, the organisation did not directly address the allegation that it asked the tower to limit interactions between its members and female employees.

Investigation Underway

Authorities now need to establish the exact request made by the delegation, who approved the arrangements at SETE and how the instructions reached employees and contractors.

The Eiffel Tower has reopened, but the incident has sparked a wider debate in France over religious accommodation, workers’ rights and gender equality in public spaces.

SETE and Paris authorities are expected to provide further details as the investigation progresses.