Eiffel Tower closed due to strike after female staff allegedly removed for religious group

Key Points:

• The Eiffel Tower closed on Monday due to a strike by employees protesting claims that female staff were asked to stay out of sight during a visit by the Hindu organization BAPS, sparking criticism from French politicians.
• BAPS, which recently inaugurated a new Hindu temple in Paris, reportedly requested a visit that limited interactions with women, a condition the Eiffel Tower Operating Company (SETE) admitted should not have been accepted.
• Paris authorities launched an investigation, with Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire condemning the incident as contrary to the values of gender equality and freedom of movement upheld by the city and the landmark.
• The event has ignited public outrage in France, a country with a strong feminist tradition and constitutional commitment to gender equality, with government officials emphasizing that gender equality is non-negotiable.
• BAPS apologized for any distress caused, stating the visit was coordinated to minimize disruption and denying that anyone was prevented from accessing the Eiffel Tower, while the broader controversy highlights ongoing gender equality debates within Hinduism and its practices.