Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Mahant Swami Maharaj At Center Of Eiffel Tower Controversy
Mahant Swami Maharaj is the spiritual leader of BAPS.
BAPS includes religious monks called Swaminarayan sadhus.
These monks follow a strict promise of celibacy.
The promise limits their talking, touching, and mixing with women.
BAPS says this is a personal religious practice, not a judgment against women.
The disagreement began when the practice led to instructions affecting women working at the Eiffel Tower.
Women also had important roles in other parts of BAPS's Paris celebrations.
BAPS apologized for causing hurt but said that nobody was prevented from entering.
Mahant Swami Maharaj is the spiritual leader of BAPS, whose religious discipline is at the center of the controversy.
Swaminarayan sadhus, including their guru, observe a strict vow of celibacy involving limited interaction with women.
BAPS describes the vow as a personal spiritual commitment rather than a judgment on women.
The controversy arose after the discipline was translated into instructions affecting women at their workplace at the Eiffel Tower.
BAPS apologized for causing pain while maintaining that no one was denied access.
- Who
- Mahant Swami Maharaj, BAPS, Swaminarayan sadhus, and women affected by the instructions.
- What
- A controversy over religious rules that restricted interaction with women and were applied in a workplace setting.
- Where
- The Eiffel Tower in Paris, alongside other BAPS Paris celebrations.
- Why
- The controversy arose because a religious vow was translated into instructions affecting women at their workplace and a public monument.
BAPS Perspective
Equality Concerns
Meaning of the religious vow
BAPS Perspective
BAPS describes the vow of celibacy as a personal spiritual commitment rather than a judgment on women.
Equality Concerns
Critics are concerned that the vow became instructions affecting women in their workplace and at a public monument.
Access and participation
BAPS Perspective
BAPS said that no one was denied access and highlighted the prominent role women played elsewhere in its Paris celebrations.
Equality Concerns
The controversy focused on the impact of instructions directed at women, even though BAPS said access was not denied.
- Spiritual leader
- Mahant Swami Maharaj
- Organization
- BAPS
- Religious group
- Swaminarayan sadhus
- Religious discipline
- A strict vow of celibacy limiting talking to, touching, or mixing with women
- Controversy location
- The Eiffel Tower in Paris
- BAPS response
- BAPS apologized for causing pain but maintained that no one was denied access.