Eiffel Tower Closed Over Hindu Group BAPS Visit

The Eiffel Tower experienced a temporary closure on April 15, 2024, as workers initiated a protest against the perceived sidelining of women during a visit by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a prominent global Hindu organization. The protest, which led to the suspension of visitor access to the iconic Parisian landmark, centered on concerns raised by trade unions regarding the treatment of female workers involved in the BAPS event. Specifically, the workers' unions alleged that women were excluded from certain activities and responsibilities during the BAPS delegation's presence, prompting their industrial action. The closure affected thousands of tourists who had booked tickets to ascend the tower, causing significant disruption and disappointment.

BAPS, founded in India in 1907 by Shastriji Maharaj, is a socio-spiritual Hindu organization dedicated to the principles of faith, service, and community. It operates on a global scale, with a network of over 1,100 temples, 700 centers, and 300,000 volunteers worldwide. The organization is known for its elaborate temples, such as the Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi and the under-construction BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in New Jersey, and its focus on spiritual discourse, cultural preservation, and charitable activities. The visit to the Eiffel Tower was part of a broader engagement by the BAPS delegation in Paris, though the specific nature of their activities and the context of the alleged exclusion of women were not detailed in the initial reports.

The protest was organized by the CGT union, a major French trade union confederation, which voiced its solidarity with the female workers. According to a statement released by the CGT, the union demanded equal treatment and respect for all workers, regardless of gender, in the context of hosting international delegations. The union highlighted that the exclusion of women from certain aspects of the BAPS visit was unacceptable and violated principles of gender equality. The closure of the Eiffel Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world's most visited monuments, underscored the seriousness of the workers' grievances and their determination to ensure fair labor practices.

The incident brought to the forefront discussions about labor rights and gender equality within the tourism and cultural heritage sectors. While BAPS has not yet issued a formal statement addressing the specific allegations, the protest by the Eiffel Tower workers has initiated a dialogue about the protocols and ethical considerations involved in hosting large international groups at prominent public sites. The resolution of the protest and the subsequent reopening of the Eiffel Tower were anticipated to involve discussions between the management, the trade unions, and potentially representatives of the BAPS organization to address the concerns raised and prevent similar incidents in the future. The closure lasted for several hours on April 15th, impacting the daily operations of the landmark.