A strike at the Eiffel Tower has ignited a national debate in France after female staff were sidelined during a private visit by a Hindu religious group.
The Eiffel Tower, one of the world's most visited monuments, recently experienced a temporary closure following a strike o sideline female employees during a private visit organized for a group from the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). The organization, a global socio-spiritual Hindu denomination, had requested that the visit be managed in a way that restricted interactions with women, a demand that the tower's management, the Societe d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), initially accommodated before facing severe backlash.
The strike drew national attention as employees refused to work under conditions they deemed discriminatory. According to the workers' union, female staff members were instructed to vacate their posts or withdraw to secondary areas while the delegation was touring the site. In some instances, women were reportedly replaced f. The union expressed shock that such an order was issued, condemning the professional instructions as a direct attack on their rights and professional dignity.
BAPS is a prominent spiritual movement founded in India in 1907. Since the 1960s, it has expanded its footprint significantly, establishing an extensive network of temples and cultural centers across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the United States. The organization is primarily known for community building, disaster relief efforts, and the management of medical and educational programs. In the context of the recent controversy, the focus has been on the group's monastic members, or sadhus, who practice strict celibacy. This discipline requires them to avoid physical contact with women and minimize interactions that could be considered intimate or disruptive to their vows.
While the monastic members adhere to these rigid codes, the organization noted that its broader community members are not bound both monks and lay followers. Following the public outcry, the BAPS Paris office issued a statement on social media offering apologies to those who felt hurt or inconvenienced the public, though they acknowledged the distress caused
The incident sparked a swift and unified condemnation from across the French political spectrum. Government officials and political leaders emphasized that religious demands cannot supersede the fundamental principles of the French Republic, particularly regarding gender equality. Aurore Berge, the minister delegate for gender equality, stated clearly that no religion or dogma is superior to the nation's laws. Similar sentiments were echoed inclusion of women in public life is a non-negotiable value in France.
Prominent figures, including former President Francois Hollande and former Prime Minister Michel Barnier, expressed their support for the striking staff. The consensus among these leaders was that the request to make women invisible or to sideline them based on their gender is fundamentally unacceptable. The incident has prompted an investigation al instructions were authorized
The recent event in Paris is not the first time BAPS has faced significant public scrutiny. Throughout its history, the organization has navigated various legal and social challenges. These include a notable 1966 legal battle regarding its status as a distinct religious entity, as well as allegations in 2013 concerning the conduct of senior leaders. Furthermore, the organization was the subject of a 2021 class-action lawsuit in the United States, which alleged that laborers from India were exploited while working on a temple project in New Jersey. While some of these cases have seen legal outcomes or investigations that did not result in criminal charges, they have contributed to a complex public perception of the organization.
As the Eiffel Tower has since returned to normal operations, the discourse surrounding this incident remains focused on the balance between respecting religious practices and upholding secular, egalitarian values. The case has served as a flashpoint for broader discussions in France regarding how public institutions should manage private requests that conflict with national standards of equality and non-discrimination.
