8 September 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : The Eiffel Tower was temporarily closed in Paris after employees staged a protest over allegations that female staff were asked to step away from their workstations during a private visit by a Hindu religious delegation linked to BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha).
The incident has triggered a political controversy in France, with authorities ordering an investigation and several politicians condemning the reported treatment of women employees. BAPS has apologised for any distress caused and said no one was prevented from accessing the monument.
What Happened During the BAPS Visit?
The dispute centres on a private visit on September 5 by around 100 people linked to BAPS, a Hindu religious organisation. The delegation was in France for events connected to the inauguration of a Hindu temple near Paris.
According to union representatives, female Eiffel Tower employees were instructed to leave their workstations or remain out of sight as members of the delegation moved through the monument. In some areas, male employees reportedly took their places.
Staff Protest Leads to Closure
The reported instructions angered employees, who held a meeting and protested against what they considered discriminatory treatment.
The Eiffel Tower was subsequently closed late on September 7, with a notice saying its opening had been delayed for “operational reasons”. Union representatives said management apologised to staff and that employees wanted assurances that women would not be treated this way again.
Paris Authorities Order Investigation
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said an investigation would be launched into the incident.
The controversy has also drawn criticism from senior French political figures, who said excluding women from public-facing roles because of visitor preferences would conflict with France’s principles of gender equality.
BAPS Apologises
BAPS said the visit had been arranged at the beginning of opening hours because of the size of the delegation and to minimise disruption to other visitors.
The organisation said that, to its knowledge, no one was prevented from accessing the Eiffel Tower, but apologised for any “pain or inconvenience” caused by the incident.
Why the Incident Has Sparked Debate
The controversy has quickly moved beyond the specific visit, becoming a wider debate about gender equality, workplace rights and religious accommodation.
French officials and employee representatives have stressed that religious or cultural preferences cannot override workplace equality principles. At the same time, BAPS has said there was no intention to cause offence and expressed regret over the incident.
Visit Linked to New Hindu Temple in France
The BAPS delegation was in France for celebrations connected to the inauguration of a new Hindu temple in the Paris region.
The temple opening brought together members and supporters of the organisation, with the Eiffel Tower visit forming part of the group’s activities in the French capital.
No Evidence Women Were Barred From the Monument
It is important to distinguish between the allegations concerning staff positioning and claims that women were barred from entering the Eiffel Tower.
BAPS said it was not aware of anyone being denied access to the monument. The dispute instead concerns instructions allegedly given to female employees while the delegation moved through the site.
Probe Will Establish Responsibility
The investigation is expected to examine who issued the instructions, how the request was handled by management and whether the treatment of female staff violated workplace rules or company policies.
The Eiffel Tower’s operating authorities and city officials will determine the next steps after reviewing the circumstances.
A Controversy With Wider Implications
The incident has highlighted the challenges that can arise when religious or cultural sensitivities intersect with workplace practices at major public landmarks.
For now, the facts surrounding the instructions remain under investigation, while BAPS has apologised and Eiffel Tower employees have demanded assurances that similar treatment will not happen again.