The iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris experienced a temporary closure on Monday morning as employees staged a protest following serious allegations. Staff claimed that female workers were instructed to leave their workstations and move out of sight during a private visit by a Hindu religious delegation on Saturday. The incident prompted immediate action, with both Paris authorities and the Eiffel Tower's operating company ordering comprehensive investigations.
Allegations of Gender-Based Sidelining Spark Outrage
The controversy arose during a visit by approximately 100 individuals associated with BAPS, or Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha. The group was in France for celebrations linked to the inauguration of a new Hindu temple near Paris. Union representatives detailed that as the BAPS delegation moved through the monument, female employees were allegedly asked to vacate their positions, which were then reportedly filled by male colleagues.
Diane Davoine, a union representative, stated that tensions escalated over the weekend, leading employees to meet and demand a dialogue with management. Their primary goal was to ensure that such treatment of women would never recur within the company. The monument displayed signs citing "operational reasons" for the delayed opening, and management has since apologized to the affected staff.
BAPS Responds, Authorities Condemn Incident
In response to the growing controversy, BAPS issued a statement expressing regret. The organization clarified that the visit had been coordinated with Eiffel Tower authorities to minimize disruption and maintain normal access for other visitors. BAPS asserted it was unaware of any instances where visitors were denied entry and apologized to anyone who felt inconvenienced or hurt, reiterating its commitment to mutual respect.
However, the allegations drew sharp condemnation from various officials. The CGT trade union denounced the alleged "workplace instructions that led to female employees being sidelined, replaced and rendered invisible on the basis of their gender."
SETE, the Eiffel Tower's operator, acknowledged that the delegation had indeed requested arrangements to limit "interactions with women." Crucially, SETE admitted that "these conditions should not have been accepted." Ariel Weil, President of SETE, vowed to "shed light on what happened" and implement necessary conclusions. Emmanuel Grégoire, a Paris official, echoed this sentiment on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "It is unacceptable that such conditions could be tolerated." National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet also voiced strong criticism, declaring, "I refuse to accept that women should be told to step aside to meet the demands of foreign visitors." A swift investigation is expected to follow these condemnations.