Staff at the Eiffel Tower in Paris staged a strike following allegations that female employees were sidelined during a private visit by a Hindu religious delegation days earlier. The dispute arose from a visit by about 100 people linked to BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha), who were in France for events connected to the inauguration of a major temple near Paris.
In a statement, tower employees condemned instructions that resulted in female staff being removed from view, replaced, or made invisible on the basis of gender. Some women were directed to leave their posts and move to other areas, with men taking their places in certain roles. All female employees were also told not to enter or cross specific zones while the delegation was present. Staff expressed shock at being placed in such a position.
The operating company, SETE, acknowledged that the Hindu group had requested the visit be arranged to limit interactions with women. The company stated that these conditions should not have been accepted, as they conflicted with its values and the principle of equality between men and women. SETE president Ariel Weil reaffirmed the landmark’s commitment to republican values and gender equality, noting that the practice was unacceptable and that consequences would be accepted.
BAPS, which consecrated its first major temple in France near Paris on Sunday, issued a response expressing respect for the concerns raised and taking them seriously. The group said the visit was coordinated with Eiffel Tower teams at the start of normal opening hours to minimise disruption for other visitors. According to the statement, no one was denied access. The organisation offered sincere apologies to anyone who may have been hurt or inconvenienced and underlined its commitment to mutual respect and service to others.
Political figures reacted strongly. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire announced that an investigation would be launched promptly and recognised the employees’ anger as legitimate. France’s equality minister stated that women are not required to erase themselves in the country and that no dogma or religion stands above the laws of the Republic. Other political voices similarly emphasised that no cultural or religious practice could dictate limits on women’s presence or roles.
The Eiffel Tower, which welcomes nearly seven million visitors annually, remained closed throughout Monday but was scheduled to reopen as normal on Tuesday.