Eiffel Tower Closed After Row Over Women Removed for Hindu Group

Eiffel Tower – (Special Correpondent/Web Desk) – The Eiffel Tower closed its doors on Monday after staff walked out in protest. The strike broke out over claims that female employees were pushed aside during a visit by a Hindu religious delegation. Workers said the move left them shocked and embarrassed.

The trouble started a day earlier. A cultural boat procession took place on the Seine River. It was organised by a group called Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, widely known as BAPS. The spiritual movement also opened its first big temple in France just outside Paris.

During the delegation’s visit to the tower, staff say women were told to step away from their jobs. Some were asked to leave their usual posts completely. In certain areas, men took over their roles instead. Female workers were also told not to walk through parts of the tower while the group was present.

In a joint statement, tower staff spoke out strongly. They said clear instructions had been given that made women disappear from sight because of their gender. They called the entire situation deeply upsetting and unfair.

The company that manages the landmark, known as SETE, later admitted what had happened. It confirmed the Hindu delegation had asked for limited contact with women during their tour. The company said this request should never have been accepted in the first place.

SETE added that the arrangement clashed completely with its own values. It also went against basic principles of equal treatment between men and women. The company promised to take responsibility and face any consequences that follow.

Ariel Weil, who leads SETE and also serves as a Paris city official, spoke to reporters. He called the incident an unacceptable practice. He reaffirmed the tower’s dedication to fairness and republican values shared across France.

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire also reacted strongly. He described the decision to accept such conditions as simply unacceptable. He confirmed that a formal investigation would begin soon to uncover exactly what took place.

The Eiffel Tower attracts nearly seven million visitors every year. It remained shut for the entire day on Monday. Staff representatives confirmed it would reopen as usual the next day.

BAPS holds close ties with India’s ruling nationalist party, currently led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The group’s temple opening over the weekend drew major attention across French and Indian media circles.

France’s Equality Minister Aurore Berge did not hold back her anger. She stated firmly that women are never asked to erase themselves in France. She added that no religion stands above the country’s laws.

Even political rivals agreed on this issue. Marine Le Pen said France would never accept limits placed on women’s presence anywhere. Gabriel Attal echoed similar thoughts, saying no belief system gets to dictate a woman’s place in society.

The incident has sparked a nationwide conversation about equality and respect. Many are now waiting to see what the investigation uncovers in the coming days.