The Eiffel Tower, an iconic symbol of France, recently found itself at the center of a heated debate on gender equality. A visit by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a Hindu sect, led to a strike by female staff who felt discriminated against. This incident has united French politicians across the spectrum, sparking a national conversation on the principles of égalité and laïcité.
The controversy began on September 5, when a delegation of around 100 members of the BAPS visited the Eiffel Tower. The visit was in connection with the opening of a Hindu temple in nearby Bussy-Saint-Georges. The delegation included Mahant Swami Maharaj, the 92-year-old spiritual leader of the group. According to reports, BAPS representatives requested that interactions between the swami and women be limited during the event.
The Incident and the Strike
Female staff members, including those from contractor companies, were asked to leave their posts and stay out of sight in back rooms during the visit. In some cases, they were replaced by male colleagues. The staff felt that these demands were a form of gender-based discrimination. In response, they organized a strike, which was supported by unions including the CGT. The strike led to the temporary closure of the Eiffel Tower on September 8.
Both the Société d’exploitation de la tour Eiffel (Sete), the company that manages the monument, and BAPS issued apologies for the incident. Sete announced that it would conduct a thorough review of the conditions under which the visit was organized. BAPS stated that its aim was to minimize any inconvenience to other visitors.
Political Reactions
The incident has drawn widespread criticism from politicians across the French political spectrum. Far-right politician Marine Le Pen stated, “In France, we will never accept women’s presence being ‘limited.’ The full truth must come to light.” Members of the right-wing Les Républicains, including Michel Barnier and Valérie Pécresse, also criticized the incident, emphasizing the importance of respecting women’s freedom and the principles of the Republic.
Members of the left and far-left, including Manuel Bompard from La France Insoumise and Socialist Ségolène Royal, also condemned the incident. Royal described it as a case of “chaos [and] disorder,” but cautioned her political rivals about focusing too much on this story without addressing other issues, such as wage inequality and domestic violence.
Government members, including Minister for Gender Equality Aurore Bergé and Assemblée nationale President Yaël Braun-Pivet, also lambasted the incident. Bergé stated, “In France, women are not asked to make themselves invisible. No dogma, no religion stands above the laws of the Republic.” Braun-Pivet added, “I refuse to see women ordered to step aside to satisfy the demands of foreign visitors.”
The Broader Implications
The Eiffel Tower controversy has highlighted the tensions between religious practices and the principles of gender equality and secularism in France. As the election campaign heats up, this issue is likely to be further politicized. For the Indian diaspora in France, who have been trying to raise awareness of far-right Hindu groups, the incident comes as a stark reminder of the challenges they face.
The incident has also sparked a broader conversation about the treatment of female staff in the workplace. The strike by the Eiffel Tower staff has drawn attention to the issue of gender-based discrimination and the importance of upholding the principles of equality and secularism in all aspects of public life.
