French leaders react sharply to 'gender bias' at BAPS Eiffel Tower trip

New Delhi: French politicians and ministers have reacted strongly to allegations of gender discrimination during a visit by the Swaminarayan sect BAPS to the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The Eiffel Tower was closed to visitors on Monday after staff protested allegations that female employees were sidelined during a private visit by a delegation from the Hindu organisation Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).

Also read: Eiffel Tower-BAPS row: What really happened in Paris?


Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said an investigation would be launched "as soon as possible". In a post on X, he said he was aware of the employees' anger and agreed that their dissatisfaction was legitimate. "It is urgent that all light be shed on the facts that led to this protest," Gregoire wrote. French equality minister Aurore Berge also reacted strongly on X. "In France, we do not ask women to erase themselves. No dogma, no religion is above the laws of the Republic," she wrote.

Far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen also criticised the incident, saying France would "never accept that women's presence be 'limited'." Gabriel Attal, a rival to Le Pen, said that "in France, no culture, no belief, no religion, nothing, and no one can come and dictate to women what their place should be."

Gender equality was introduced in the 1946 French Constitution and reinforced in the 1958 Constitution. France has also constitutionally enshrined abortion rights. In 2019, France adopted a feminist foreign policy, prioritising women's rights and hosting major global conferences on gender equality.

In a statement, Eiffel Tower staff condemned "professional instructions that led to female employees being sidelined, replaced, and rendered invisible based on their gender" during the delegation's visit. "Some were asked to leave their posts and withdraw to other areas. In some posts, they were replaced by men. And all female employees were instructed not to go through or cross certain areas while the delegation was present."

Paris authorities have ordered an investigation into the incident, while BAPS said the visit was organised in coordination with the Eiffel Tower team to minimise disruption.

Also read: Eiffel Tower to reopen after staff protest over sidelining of women

BAPS, which consecrated its first major temple in France on Sunday, issued a statement following the protest, saying it respects the concerns raised and takes them seriously. "...We wish to offer our sincere apologies to anyone who may have been hurt or inconvenienced by this situation. We are deeply committed to the universal values of mutual respect and service to others."

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We are aware of the opening of a temple by the BAPS Sanstha in the Paris area. As to the particular issue pertaining to the tower, this is a matter purely between the entities concerned."