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Eiffel Tower reopens after row over removing women staff
NG🏛️ PoliticsCenter9/8/2026

Eiffel Tower reopens after row over removing women staff

The Eiffel Tower in Paris reopened on September 8, 2026, after a controversy involving the temporary removal of female staff during a visit by a Hindu religious group, the BAPS. The incident sparked backlash from Eiffel Tower employees and French officials, who criticized the decision to exclude women from certain areas during the visit. The operating company, SETE, admitted that the request by the Hindu delegation to limit interactions with women should not have been accepted. The BAPS organization apologized for any inconvenience caused but stated that the visit was organized to avoid disrupting other visitors. Female employees reported being asked to leave their posts, be replaced by men, and avoid specific areas during the visit. The incident has drawn criticism from French politicians, including Gender Equality Minister Aurore Berge and presidential candidates Marine Le Pen and Gabriel Attal.

The Eiffel Tower reopened on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, following a staff strike over the removal of female workers during a visit by a Hindu religious group. Visitors began passing through security checkpoints shortly before 9:30 am, and the Eiffel Tower’s official website stated the landmark was open for the day. The closure occurred on September 7, 2026, after employees protested instructions requiring them to step aside during the visit by members of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a global Hindu organization based in Ahmedabad, India. The operating company, SETE, acknowledged that the Hindu delegation had requested the visit be organized to limit interactions with women. However, the company stated these conditions were unacceptable and did not align with the Eiffel Tower’s values of gender equality. The monument remained closed on Monday following a meeting between staff and management to address the issue. Staff members condemned the professional instructions that required female employees to be sidelined, replaced, or restricted from certain areas during the visit. According to a statement released by the employees, some were asked to leave their posts and move to other parts of the facility. In some cases, male workers replaced female colleagues. All female employees were instructed not to enter or cross specific areas while the delegation was present. The BAPS spiritual movement issued an apology for any pain or inconvenience caused by the incident. They claimed that, to their knowledge, no one was ever denied access to the Eiffel Tower. The organization explained that the visit was scheduled early in the day to avoid disrupting other visitors. Despite the apology, the incident drew sharp criticism from French officials and politicians. France’s Minister for Gender Equality and the Fight Against Discrimination, Aurore Bergé, described the incident as “unacceptable.” She emphasized that gender equality in France is non-negotiable and not subject to varying standards. Other political figures, including far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen and centrist contender Gabriel Attal, also criticized the incident, stating that France would never tolerate limiting women’s presence in public spaces. The BAPS group, known for its association with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist party, had recently opened its first major temple in France near Paris. Spiritual leader Mahant Swami Maharaj, aged 93, personally consecrated the temple. The organization claims a global network of over 1,300 temples, many of which have been inaugurated by Modi. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire announced plans to launch an investigation into the incident as soon as possible. He acknowledged the employees’ concerns and affirmed their dissatisfaction was justified. The CGT union, representing the Eiffel Tower staff, reiterated that the situation was serious and deeply contrary to principles of equality and non-discrimination. The controversy highlights tensions between cultural practices and national policies on gender equality. While the BAPS organization attempted to downplay the impact of their visit, the incident sparked widespread condemnation from both the public and government officials in France. The reopening of the Eiffel Tower marks the end of a brief but intense period of unrest centered around the treatment of female employees during a religious visit.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

2 reports

Vanguard Nigeria logoVanguard NigeriaIndependentCenterFactual 88Objective 829/8/2026
Eiffel Tower reopens after row over removing women staff

The Eiffel Tower in Paris reopened on September 8, 2026, after a controversy involving the temporary removal of female staff during a visit by a Hindu religious group, the BAPS. The incident sparked backlash from Eiffel Tower employees and French officials, who criticized the decision to exclude women from certain areas during the visit. The operating company, SETE, admitted that the request by the Hindu delegation to limit interactions with women should not have been accepted. The BAPS organization apologized for any inconvenience caused but stated that the visit was organized to avoid disrupting other visitors. Female employees reported being asked to leave their posts, be replaced by men, and avoid specific areas during the visit. The incident has drawn criticism from French politicians, including Gender Equality Minister Aurore Berge and presidential candidates Marine Le Pen and Gabriel Attal.

Bias read (Center): The article presents multiple perspectives, including statements from Eiffel Tower staff, the BAPS organization, and French officials, providing a balanced view of the controversy without overtly favoring one side. It does not exhibit clear biased language or one-sided sourcing.

Why factuality (88): This article provides detailed information about the event, including the specific dates, the role of the BAPS organization, and the response from the Eiffel Tower staff. It includes quotes from the BAPS organization and mentions the official statement from SETE. The reporting is consistent with the

Why objectivity (82): The article maintains a balanced approach, presenting the actions of both the Eiffel Tower staff and the BAPS organization. There is some emphasis on the staff's grievances, but it also includes the BAPS' apology and explanation, keeping the narrative objective overall.

The Punch logoThe PunchIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 809/8/2026
Eiffel Tower reopens after spat over removing women staff

The Eiffel Tower reopened after being temporarily closed due to a dispute involving the removal of female staff during a visit by a Hindu religious group. Employees protested the instruction to move women out of certain areas during the visit by members of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a global Hindu organization based in India. The operating company, SETE, stated that such conditions were unacceptable and did not align with the Tower's commitment to gender equality. French Minister for Gender Equality Aurore Bergé condemned the incident as 'unacceptable,' emphasizing that gender equality in France is non-negotiable. The Hindu group later apologized for the situation.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both perspectives: the actions taken by the Hindu group, the reaction of the Eiffel Tower management, and the condemnation from the French government. There is no overtly biased language or one-sided sourcing. The framing remains neutral, focusing on the event itself and the各方'(

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the reopening of the Eiffel Tower following a staff strike over the removal of women during a visit by a Hindu group. It references the closure date, the involvement of the BAPS organization, and statements from the French Minister for Gender Equality. While it does no

Why objectivity (80): The tone remains neutral, presenting both sides of the issue – the staff's concerns and the BAPS apology. However, the article emphasizes the stance of the French government on gender equality, which could be seen as slightly leaning towards supporting the staff's position, though not overtly biased

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