Today, during a visit by a delegation from an Hindu religious group, female employees at the Eiffel Tower were asked to 'stay away'. The French authorities in Paris have launched an investigation into the incident. The Indian government stated that this controversy is 'merely a matter between the parties involved'.
According to the Indian Express, Randeep Jaiswal, a spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded in New Delhi on Tuesday that India has noticed that the BAPS has recently established a temple in the Paris area. "As for the issue involving the Eiffel Tower, it is a matter between the relevant parties."
Some reporters further asked about this. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously delivered a speech at the unveiling of BAPS Paris Temple via video. Jaiswal responded that it was "a common practice" for prime ministers to express their wishes on similar occasions, and that this time too the event was conducted via video. "There is nothing more that needs further comment."
The Eiffel Tower Operations Company (SETE), responsible for the operation of the Eiffel Tower, subsequently admitted that the delegation indeed requested that the tour arrangements be limited to prevent their members from having contact with women.
SETE states that the management layer "should not accept these conditions," because the arrangements "neither comply with SETE's value system nor uphold principles of gender equality," and therefore, the company will bear the consequences.
SETE CEO, Paris-elected officials Ali Er Wei stated that the company would clarify the incident's details and take "necessary action" based on it.
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Macron publicly supported the employees' protests, stating that the requirement for female employees to avoid certain situations was "unacceptable" and did not align with the values that the Eiffel Tower should represent.
Gregoire said that the Eiffel Tower should be a place where "everyone can move freely and carry out their duties without discrimination based on gender." He emphasized that gender equality "does not stop at the foot of historical buildings," and the Paris municipal government will immediately launch an investigation to thoroughly clarify the facts of the incident.
French Minister of Equality Aurélie Bertrand also posted on social media: 'In France, we won't ask women to disappear.' She emphasized that 'no dogma, no religion should override the laws of the republic.'
