The Eiffel Tower was temporarily closed to visitors after employees went on strike over allegations that female staff were sidelined during a private visit by a delegation associated with the Hindu organisation BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha).

The dispute followed a visit by around 100 BAPS members on Saturday, September 5. Staff representatives alleged that female employees were asked to leave some of their workstations or avoid certain areas while the delegation was present, with some positions reportedly being filled by male colleagues. The Eiffel Tower's operating company, SETE, acknowledged that the delegation had requested arrangements limiting interactions with women and said the request should not have been accepted. 

The landmark reopened on Tuesday after the strike and discussions between employees and management. Paris authorities have also announced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. 

What happened during the BAPS visit?

According to Eiffel Tower staff representatives, female employees were instructed to make themselves “invisible” during the delegation's visit. Some were allegedly moved away from their regular positions, while others were reportedly told not to enter or cross particular areas.

The staff said they were shocked by the instructions and considered them discriminatory. Their protest eventually led to a work stoppage, forcing the Eiffel Tower to remain closed for the day.

SETE, the company operating the monument, acknowledged that the conditions surrounding the visit were inappropriate. It said such arrangements were inconsistent with the company's values and France's principle of gender equality. 

BAPS denies restricting access, apologises

BAPS disputed the suggestion that its delegation prevented anyone from entering the Eiffel Tower.

The organisation said the private visit had been coordinated with the Eiffel Tower team because of the size of the delegation. It said the timing was chosen to minimise disruption to other visitors.

BAPS stated that, to its knowledge, no one was denied access to the monument. However, it apologised to anyone who may have been hurt or inconvenienced by the incident and said it remained committed to values of mutual respect and service.

The exact sequence of decisions that led to female employees being moved remains the subject of the investigation.

Why were women reportedly kept away?

The controversy has raised questions about religious practices associated with some BAPS sadhus.

BAPS follows traditions of celibacy among its male ascetics, including restrictions on physical interaction and close contact with women. However, there is an important distinction between those religious practices and the alleged workplace instructions at the Eiffel Tower.

There is currently no independent evidence establishing that the staff arrangements were directly ordered by BAPS because of those religious rules. What is established is that the Eiffel Tower's operator acknowledged a request to limit interactions with women and admitted that accepting such conditions was a mistake. 

French political leaders criticise incident

The episode quickly became a political issue in France.

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said employees' anger was legitimate and called for the facts to be established through an investigation. France's gender equality minister Aurore Bergé also criticised the reported treatment of female workers.

National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet said welcoming visitors should not require France to compromise its principles concerning women's participation in public life.

Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen also criticised the reported arrangements.

BAPS temple opened near Paris

The controversy came shortly after the inauguration of BAPS' first major temple in France.

The Paris-area temple was inaugurated on Sunday, September 6, with BAPS spiritual leader Mahant Swami Maharajattending the ceremony. The Eiffel Tower visit was part of the delegation's activities in Paris but was described by BAPS as a private visit rather than a religious ceremony at the monument.

BAPS is a global Hindu socio-spiritual organisation with temples and community activities in several countries. The organisation is known for its religious, cultural and humanitarian work.

Investigation now under way

The Eiffel Tower episode has brought together questions of workplace equality, religious accommodation and the limits of such accommodation in public institutions.

For now, the allegations concerning the treatment of female staff should be distinguished from any claim that BAPS itself directly instructed Eiffel Tower employees to remove women. The operating company has acknowledged accepting a request to limit interactions with women and said that decision should not have been made.

The Paris investigation is expected to establish how the arrangements were proposed, who authorised them and how the instructions were communicated to staff.