BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) has come out in support of arrangements reportedly made for its delegation when they visited Eiffel Tower in Paris. In a statement on Tuesday it said that it “understood the concerns raised over this incident and is taking them very seriously” but denied anyone was denied access to landmark.
The controversy began when it was reported that female workers at the Eiffel Tower had been told to leave certain workstations or avoid some areas while the BAPS delegation was there. Criticism in France followed and a staff protest caused the famous Paris landmark temporarily to close.
In a statement BAPS said the visit was coordinated with Eiffel Tower teams and that because of the size of the delegation it was held at the beginning of normal opening hours; “timing and arrangements were made so as to minimise disruption to other visitors”.
BAPS Offers Apology Over Controversy
BAPS said that “to our knowledge no one was denied access to the Eiffel Tower during the visit”. But it also said: “We regret any concerns raised about arrangements and offer sincere apologies to anyone who may have been hurt or inconvenienced.”
The organisation said it was committed to principles of mutual respect and service to others. It also said it respected concerns raised following the incident.
The clarification followed allegations from employees and union representatives that female workers had been sidelined during the delegation’s visit. Workers reportedly said some women were asked to leave their regular jobs and men hired in to take their places.
Eiffel Tower Staff Protest Arrangements
The controversy grew on Monday when the Eiffel Tower was closed to visitors after staff went on strike. Employees reportedly protested over treatment of female workers during BAPS delegation’s visit to the tower.
Union representative Diane Davoine alleged women had been asked to leave their workstations as members of the delegation went through the site. She said tensions had risen over the weekend before employees decided to meet management to try and talk things through and make sure women weren’t treated in the same way again.
On Monday when people arrived at the Eiffel Tower notices said that because of operational reasons the opening of the landmark had been delayed.
The incident quickly became a broader debate in France about workplace equality, religious sensitivities and the role of institutions when hosting big delegations.
Nous comprenons les préoccupations exprimées et les prenons très au sérieux.
— BAPS Mandir Swaminarayan Hindou de Paris (@BAPSParis) September 7, 2026
Compte tenu de la taille de notre délégation, la visite a été organisée en coordination avec les équipes de la tour Eiffel, au début des horaires habituels d’ouverture, afin de limiter autant que… pic.twitter.com/gyiwzmh6Jv
Eiffel Tower Management Acknowledges Concerns
The company operating the Eiffel Tower (SETE) also issued a statement about the controversy. It said arrangements had been requested to prevent the delegation from interacting with female employees.
SETE said such conditions should not have been accepted and were inconsistent with its values and principle of equality between men and women. Its president Ariel Weil called the arrangement unacceptable and reaffirmed the landmark’s commitment to French republican values and gender equality.
The reaction showed how seriously the incident was being taken in France. Political leaders also criticised the reported arrangements and Paris authorities said they would look into circumstances surrounding the incident.
So the controversy has moved on from the Eiffel Tower itself to how religious and cultural expectations should be met without infringing workplace rights or equality principles.
BAPS Temple Consecrated Near Paris
The Eiffel Tower controversy followed shortly after a major event for BAPS community in France. The organisation consecrated a major Hindu temple near Paris on Sunday and it is a big step forward for its activities in the country.
The timing of the temple event and Eiffel Tower visit brought the BAPS delegation into public focus. The reported treatment of female Eiffel Tower staff drew criticism from politicians across France’s political spectrum afterwards.
Equality Minister Aurore Berge criticised the reported arrangements saying women in France should not have to make themselves invisible. Marine Le Pen and Gabriel Attal were among other prominent French politicians who condemned the treatment of female workers as reported by the newspaper.
Debate Over Equality and Cultural Sensitivity
The dispute has exposed the tension between accommodating cultural or religious practices and workplace equality: BAPS has said that no one was denied access to the Eiffel Tower and regrets the controversy but the management of the tower says arrangements with women should not have been accepted.
The organisation’s statement is likely to be part of the discussion for a long time to come as questions continue to be asked about how the visit was organised and communicated between delegation and Eiffel Tower authorities.
For BAPS the controversy arrives just as it has consecrated its new temple near Paris. The organisation has sought to emphasise mutual respect and service but also wants to address concerns about an incident that has been much discussed in France.
The episode has also brought gender equality in workplaces into the spotlight and reminded us that arrangements made for visiting delegations must reflect policies and values of host institutions.
