The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam (BAPS) Swaminarayan Sanstha has stated that inquiries have confirmed it did not ask for the exclusion of female employees during its recent visit to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. This issue had previously led to a strike by Eiffel Tower staff, stemming from claims that women were moved away during the group’s visit on September 5, which involved around 100 participants.

The situation resulted in the temporary closure of the iconic landmark for a full day. In light of these events, BAPS Paris released a statement asserting that it has consistently maintained that no requests were made to hide, remove, or exclude women from the visit.

Reaction from Eiffel Tower Management

Following the uproar, the management of the Eiffel Tower, represented by Societe d’Exploitation de la tour Eiffel, has announced that their director, Patrick Branco Ruivo, will resign at the end of the year. This decision was prompted by an independent investigation that revealed several operational shortcomings related to the BAPS delegation’s visit.

BAPS shared its position on the matter on Thursday, stating, “The investigation establishes this fact that BAPS made no such request for women to be excluded along the visitor route.” The organisation expressed hope that this clarification would assist in achieving a “better understanding” of the events that unfolded, allowing the involved parties to progress respectfully.

It is important to note that the employees at the Eiffel Tower, represented by the CGT trade union, had raised concerns regarding workplace instructions. They alleged these directives resulted in female staff members being sidelined based on their gender during the BAPS visit.

Prior Apology and Background Information

The BAPS Hindu temple in Paris had previously expressed regret over any distress or inconvenience caused by the situation, yet maintained, “to our knowledge, at no time was access to the Eiffel Tower denied to anyone.” The temple’s inauguration coincided with the visit, as the institution was officially consecrated earlier in September this year.

BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha describes itself as a “socio-spiritual Hindu faith” and operates more than 1,300 temples across various regions, including North America, Europe, Africa, West Asia, India, and the Asia-Pacific area. The statement from BAPS Paris aimed to clarify its stance regarding the incident and shed light on the circumstances surrounding the visit.

As the discussions surrounding this visit continue, the focus remains on ensuring respectful engagement among all parties involved. The inquiry’s findings have led to a closer examination of how similar events are managed in the future, underscoring the importance of inclusivity and respect in public spaces.

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