Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Eiffel Tower Visit Sparks Debate Over Religion’s Custodianship
A group connected with BAPS visited the Eiffel Tower in France.
The group was in the country for celebrations connected to a new Hindu temple.
The visit caused a public disagreement.
Abhijeet Dipke criticized men he described as “regressive” becoming religious custodians.
BAPS gave a different explanation for the visit’s timing.
It said the group arrived when the tower opened.
BAPS said this was done because the delegation was large.
The organization said the early timing helped prevent disruption to other visitors.
Abhijeet Dipke criticized what he called “regressive men” becoming custodians of religion.
The remarks followed a row involving a BAPS delegation’s visit to the Eiffel Tower.
BAPS representatives were in France for festivities linked to a Hindu temple inauguration.
BAPS said the Eiffel Tower visit was scheduled at the start of opening hours.
The organization said the timing was chosen to avoid disrupting others because of the delegation’s size.
- Who
- Abhijeet Dipke and representatives of BAPS were involved.
- What
- A dispute arose over a BAPS delegation’s visit to the Eiffel Tower and broader comments about custodianship of religion.
- When
- The visit occurred during festivities related to the inauguration of a Hindu temple; BAPS said it was arranged at the start of opening hours.
- Where
- At the Eiffel Tower in France; the festivities were related to a temple in the Paris suburbs.
- Why
- BAPS said the early visit was arranged to avoid disrupting others because of the delegation’s size.
Dipke’s Criticism
BAPS’s Explanation
Role in religion
Dipke’s Criticism
Abhijeet Dipke objected to what he described as “regressive men” becoming custodians of religion.
BAPS’s Explanation
BAPS’s quoted statement focused on explaining the delegation’s visit arrangements rather than addressing the broader criticism.
Eiffel Tower visit
Dipke’s Criticism
The visit became part of a public row.
BAPS’s Explanation
BAPS said it was scheduled at opening time to avoid disrupting other visitors because of the delegation’s size.
- Main figure
- Abhijeet Dipke
- Organization
- BAPS
- Location of dispute
- Eiffel Tower, France
- Related event
- Festivities connected to the inauguration of a Hindu temple
- Temple location
- Paris suburbs
- BAPS explanation
- The visit was scheduled at the start of opening hours because the delegation was large.