Eiffel Tower: Mayor of Paris announces two investigations after controversial dismissal of female employees

The Eiffel Tower temporarily closed on Monday following a strike by its staff over the removal of female employees during a visit by a Hindu religious delegation. According to reports, the decision to sideline women was part of a request by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) spiritual group, which is associated with India's ruling Hindu nationalist party. The move sparked outrage among workers, who described the directive as discriminatory and unacceptable. The dispute unfolded during a scheduled visit to the third level of the tower by around 100 members of the BAPS delegation, including religious leaders. Staff members claimed they received instructions to step back from their posts and avoid specific areas during the visit, effectively making them invisible. Some female employees were reportedly asked to leave their positions and were replaced by male colleagues. Others were instructed not to traverse designated zones while the delegation was present. The Eiffel Tower’s operating company, Société d’Exploitation du Tour Eiffel (SETE), acknowledged the request from the BAPS group to limit interactions with women during the visit. However, the company stated these conditions should not have been accepted, emphasizing that they contradict its core values of equality between men and women. A spokesperson for SETE confirmed the policy change was based on the delegation’s request but added that such conditions are not aligned with the organization’s principles. In response to the controversy, Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire, a member of the Socialist Party, expressed his disapproval. He called the situation “unacceptable” and announced two separate investigations into the incident. One inquiry will be conducted internally by SETE, involving an external expert, while the city of Paris, which owns 99 percent of the tower, will launch its own probe. Both investigations are expected to conclude within seven days. Grégoire emphasized that gender equality must prevail in all aspects of public life, stating, “Equality between men and women will never end at the foot of our historical monuments, nor anywhere else in this city.” The BAPS delegation issued apologies, acknowledging that no one was denied access to the tower. They expressed regret for any discomfort caused but maintained that their request was based on religious considerations. On social media, the group wrote, “To our knowledge, no one was excluded from visiting the Eiffel Tower. Nevertheless, we sincerely apologize to anyone who might have felt hurt or disturbed by this situation.” Despite these statements, critics argue the apology fails to address the broader issue of gender-based discrimination. French political figures, including former Prime Minister Michel Barnier, have voiced concerns over the incident. Barnier criticized the handling of the situation, asserting that such practices are not acceptable in France. He stressed that women should not be hidden or marginalized in public spaces, calling for transparency and accountability from the tower’s management. Meanwhile, the Eiffel Tower remained closed throughout Monday, though it reopened normally on Tuesday. The closure followed a day of protest by staff members, who used the strike to highlight their grievances. The incident has reignited discussions about workplace policies and the treatment of women in public institutions. As the two investigations proceed, the outcome could set a precedent for how such conflicts are addressed in the future.