The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded on Tuesday to reports concerning the temporary shutdown of the Eiffel Tower, which occurred after staff union members alleged that female employees were asked to avoid certain areas during a visit by a delegation from the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).
Official MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified India’s official position regarding the incident, noting that while the government was aware of the recent inauguration of a BAPS temple in the Paris area, the operational disagreement at the monument remained “a matter purely between the entities concerned.”
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Background of the Eiffel Tower Dispute
The landmark monument experienced a temporary closure on Monday after staff members raised concerns over workplace protocols during the private delegation visit over the weekend.
- Union Allegations: Staff union representative Diane Davoine told news agencies that several female workers felt humiliated after being instructed to withdraw to secondary locations or refrain from crossing specific areas while the delegation was present.
- Management Response: Société d’Exploitation de la tour Eiffel (SETE), the operational body managing the site, acknowledged that representatives of the visiting group had requested restricted interactions with female personnel. SETE President Ariel Weil emphasized that such requests should not have been accepted, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to gender equality and institutional values.
- Reopening: Following discussions between employee union representatives and monument management on Monday, operations resumed normally on Tuesday.
BAPS Clarification and Response
In response to the incident, the BAPS Hindu temple organization in Paris issued an official statement addressing the operational concerns.
The organization stated that the visit had been coordinated well in advance with the monument’s management team during public opening hours. BAPS clarified that, to its knowledge, no member of the public or staff was denied access to the landmark. However, the organization offered a formal apology for any distress caused, reiterating its commitment to universal respect, equality, and mutual understanding.
