2 days ago
French Leaders Condemn Eiffel Tower Women Staff Removal
Women working at the Eiffel Tower said they were moved away from some places during a visit by a Hindu religious group.
They said some men replaced them and that women were told not to cross certain areas.
The tower’s management said the group wanted fewer interactions with women, but admitted this should not have been allowed.
The workers held a short strike to protest.
French politicians said men and women must have equal rights in public places.
BAPS Paris said nobody was stopped from entering the tower and that the visit was organized to avoid disrupting other visitors.
The group apologized for any hurt or inconvenience.
An Indian community group said the event should not be used to spread racism.
Eiffel Tower staff said women employees were removed from posts or told to avoid certain areas during a Saturday visit by a Hindu delegation.
The monument’s management said the delegation requested arrangements minimizing interactions with women, and acknowledged those conditions should not have been accepted.
Staff briefly struck on Monday, while French politicians across the political spectrum defended gender equality and called for explanations or an investigation.
BAPS Paris said it respected concerns, denied that anyone was prevented from accessing the tower, and apologized for any pain or inconvenience.
Indian Alliance Paris warned that the incident should not fuel racism and said BAPS does not represent all Hindus or India.
- Who
- Eiffel Tower staff, the BAPS Hindu delegation, Eiffel Tower management, and French political leaders were involved or commented.
- What
- Women staffers were reportedly removed from workstations or told to avoid areas during a delegation’s visit, prompting a brief strike and political condemnation.
- Where
- The incident took place at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.
- When
- The delegation visited on Saturday; the group’s temple was consecrated on Sunday; staff struck and politicians responded on Monday and Tuesday.
- Why
- According to the tower’s management, the delegation requested arrangements to minimize interactions with women; BAPS said the visit was coordinated to avoid disruption.
French officials and staff concerns
BAPS Paris response
Whether women were excluded
French officials and staff concerns
Staff and French politicians said women were removed from posts, made to withdraw, or told to avoid areas, describing the arrangement as discriminatory and unacceptable.
BAPS Paris response
BAPS Paris said that, to its knowledge, nobody was prevented from accessing the Eiffel Tower and said the visit was coordinated with the tower team.
Responsibility for the arrangement
French officials and staff concerns
The tower’s management said the delegation requested arrangements minimizing interactions with women, while politicians demanded an explanation and investigation.
BAPS Paris response
BAPS Paris said the delegation’s size led organizers to schedule the visit at the start of normal opening hours to avoid disrupting or inconveniencing others.
Broader implications
French officials and staff concerns
French leaders said gender equality and women’s freedom in public spaces cannot be overridden by religious demands or practices.
BAPS Paris response
Indian Alliance Paris said the incident should not become fuel for racism and argued that BAPS does not represent all Hindus or India.
Key facts
- Delegation
- A group from Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha visited the Eiffel Tower.
- Reported staff instructions
- Female employees said some were removed from posts, replaced by men, or told not to cross certain areas.
- Staff response
- Eiffel Tower employees held a brief strike on Monday.
- Management response
- The tower operator said the conditions were inconsistent with its values and gender equality, and said they should not have been accepted.
- BAPS response
- BAPS Paris said no one was prevented from accessing the Eiffel Tower and apologized for any pain or inconvenience.
- Political response
- Marine Le Pen, Jordan Bardella, Michel Barnier, Emmanuel Grégoire, and Aurore Bergé defended gender equality and called for accountability.
- Related ceremony
- BAPS consecrated its first major temple in France on Sunday, and Narendra Modi attended virtually.
Quotes
Jordan Bardella
President of France’s National Rally party
“In France, it is not practices from elsewhere that dictate to women how to dress or exist in public spaces. Women are not hidden. They are not erased. They are respected, and their freedom is defended.”
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“In a free country like France, gender equality is respected, and no religious reason can override women's dignity. Our civilisational values are not negotiable.”
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BAPS Paris
Paris branch of the Hindu organisation Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha
“Due to the size of our delegation, the visit was arranged in conjunction with the Eiffel Tower team at the start of normal opening hours to avoid disrupting or inconveniencing others.”
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Sources
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