PARIS: The Eiffel Tower was temporarily closed on Monday after employees held a meeting to protest an alleged incident involving female staff during a private visit by a Hindu religious delegation.
The protest followed a weekend visit by about 100 members of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a Hindu organisation, according to a union representative.
What triggered the staff protest?
Diane Davoine, a union representative, told Reuters that female employees were allegedly asked to leave their workstations while members of the delegation passed through the site, allowing male employees to take their places.
Davoine said the incident led to tensions among staff and prompted employees to meet with management on Monday.
She said employees wanted to discuss the incident with management and ensure that female workers would not be treated in a similar manner in the future.
The Eiffel Tower’s opening was delayed on Monday, with notices at the site citing operational reasons.
Davoine said management had apologised to employees following the incident.
What did Paris authorities and BAPS say?
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said an investigation would be launched into the circumstances surrounding the staff protest.
Gregoire said on X that he was aware of employees’ concerns and that the facts behind the incident needed to be established.
BAPS said the delegation’s visit had been scheduled at the beginning of opening hours because of its size and to minimise disruption to other visitors.
The organisation said that, to its knowledge, no one had been prevented from accessing the Eiffel Tower, while expressing regret over any inconvenience or distress caused.
The company operating the Eiffel Tower, SETE, did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
The delegation was in France for events linked to the inauguration of a Hindu temple in the Paris suburbs.
French National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet also commented on the controversy, saying that welcoming visitors should not require France to compromise its principles regarding women’s participation in public life.
Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances of the incident as part of the investigation.