Eiffel Tower Workers Strike Over Removal of Women During Hin

Key Takeaways

• Employees closed the Eiffel Tower on Monday over alleged gender discrimination, ending their strike after an investigation was promised and sparking a
• PARIS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Sep, 2026) Employees at the Eiffel Tower in the French capital, Paris, went on strike to protest the rem
• According to a French broadcaster, a delegation of around 100 people from the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha visited the Eiffel
• In a statement, employees said female workers were instructed to leave their duties and remain out of sight when the delegation arrived
• Some women were reportedly asked to move to other locations, while male employees replaced them in certain areas

Employees closed the Eiffel Tower on Monday over alleged gender discrimination, ending their strike after an investigation was promised and sparking a fresh political debate in France.

PARIS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Sep, 2026) Employees at the Eiffel Tower in the French capital, Paris, went on strike to protest the removal of female staff from certain areas and their replacement by male employees during a private visit by a Hindu religious group. According to a French broadcaster, a delegation of around 100 people from the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha visited the Eiffel Tower privately.

In a statement, employees said female workers were instructed to leave their duties and remain out of sight when the delegation arrived. Some women were reportedly asked to move to other locations, while male employees replaced them in certain areas.

The statement added that female staff were also prevented from passing through or crossing certain designated areas while the delegation was present. The employees strongly objected to the instructions, saying that pushing women back, replacing them and keeping them out of sight on the basis of gender was unacceptable. The company operating the Eiffel Tower confirmed that the Hindu delegation had requested arrangements limiting interaction with women during the visit.

The company acknowledged that such conditions should not have been accepted, saying they were incompatible with its values and the principle of equality between men and women, and that management was prepared to accept the consequences. Ariel Weil, president of the Eiffel Tower and a Socialist official in Paris, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that restricting the presence of women was clearly unacceptable.

He reaffirmed the Eiffel Tower’s commitment to the values of the French Republic and equality between men and women. Following the controversy, the Hindu religious and social organisation BAPS said it understood the concerns raised by employees and was taking them extremely seriously.

The organisation said the visit had been arranged with the Eiffel Tower management at the start of normal operating hours because of the delegation’s large size, in order to minimise possible disruption to other tourists.

BAPS said that, to its knowledge, no one had been denied entry to the Eiffel Tower.

However, it sincerely apologised if the situation had caused anyone discomfort or inconvenience and said it remained committed to the universal values of mutual respect and service to others. BAPS, formally known as the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, said it worked to improve society through religious faith, service and global harmony.

The organisation is a registered charitable institution in India and holds consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. It is involved in various activities around the world, including humanitarian services and the construction of temples. BAPS also held the religious inauguration ceremony on Sunday for its first major temple in France, on the outskirts of Paris. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said an investigation into the matter would begin as soon as possible.

He said he was aware of the anger among Eiffel Tower employees and considered their indignation justified. France’s Minister for Equality and Women’s Rights, Aurore Bergé, also reacted strongly, saying that women in France are not asked to erase themselves or remain out of sight, and that no belief or religion is above the laws of the Republic. French right-wing presidential candidate Marine Le Pen criticised the incident, saying France would never accept any attempt to restrict the presence of women.

Centrist politician Gabriel Attal also said that in France, no culture, belief, religion or individual could order women where their place in society should be. The Eiffel Tower remained closed throughout Monday because of the protest, but an employee representative said it reopened as usual on Tuesday.

According to the Eiffel Tower’s website, the world-famous tourist landmark attracts around 7 million visitors each year.

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