2 days ago
BAPS Denies Gender-Based Request During Eiffel Tower Visit
BAPS brought a group of nearly 100 people to the Eiffel Tower.
The group planned to arrive when the tower opened so its visit would be easier to manage.
Eiffel Tower workers said some female employees were told to leave their posts while the group was there.
The tower’s operator said the arrangements were intended to limit contact with women.
It also said those arrangements should not have been accepted.
BAPS said its request was only about handling a large group and was never about gender.
BAPS also said no visitor or worker was denied access.
The organisation said it supports equality and would work with others while the matter is reviewed.
BAPS said arrangements for its nearly 100-member Eiffel Tower visit were made for logistical reasons, not gender-based reasons.
The organisation said the visit was scheduled at opening time to reduce disruption to staff, visitors and operations.
Eiffel Tower employees said female colleagues were removed from posts during the delegation’s visit on Saturday 5.
The tower’s operator, SETE, acknowledged that arrangements were made to limit interactions with women and said they should not have been accepted.
BAPS denied requesting the removal of female staff and said it regretted any inconvenience or discomfort caused.
- Who
- BAPS, a delegation of nearly 100 members, Eiffel Tower employees and the tower’s operator, SETE.
- What
- A dispute followed arrangements for a BAPS visit that employees said involved removing female staff from some posts; BAPS denied making a gender-based request.
- Where
- The Eiffel Tower in France.
- When
- The visit took place on Saturday 5, followed by a staff walkout; BAPS issued its statement on Tuesday 8, and the tower reopened Tuesday morning.
- Why
- BAPS said the arrangements were intended to manage the logistics of a large group and reduce disruption, while SETE said they were arranged to limit interactions with women.
BAPS’s account
Employees and operator’s account
Reason for the arrangements
BAPS’s account
BAPS said the visit was coordinated purely for logistical reasons, to manage a large delegation and minimise disruption.
Employees and operator’s account
SETE acknowledged that the visit had been arranged to limit interactions with women and said those conditions should not have been accepted.
Removal of female staff
BAPS’s account
BAPS said it never asked for female staff to be removed and said, to its knowledge, no visitor or staff member was denied access.
Employees and operator’s account
Tower employees said female colleagues were instructed to leave their posts, with some replaced by men, and were told not to cross certain areas during the visit.
Underlying context
BAPS’s account
BAPS said it is committed to equality, mutual respect and service to everyone regardless of gender, background or belief.
Employees and operator’s account
The delegation was understood to include BAPS sadhus, whose stated vows include avoiding physical contact, conversation, correspondence and intentional looking or thoughts involving women.
Key facts
- Organisation
- Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, also known as BAPS
- Delegation size
- Close to 100 members
- Visit timing
- Scheduled at the start of normal operating hours
- Staff action
- Eiffel Tower employees walked out after female colleagues were reportedly removed from posts
- Operator response
- SETE acknowledged arrangements intended to limit interactions with women and said they should not have been accepted
- BAPS position
- The organisation denied asking for female staff to be removed and said the arrangements were logistical
- Visitor numbers
- The Eiffel Tower’s operator says the landmark receives nearly seven million visitors annually
Quotes
BAPS
The organisation that arranged the Eiffel Tower delegation visit.
“This coordination was undertaken out of consideration for the Tower's operations and logistics, and to ensure a smooth visit for a large group without inconveniencing the Tower's employees or the public.”
easterneye.biz
“these conditions should not have been accepted.”
easterneye.biz
Sources
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