MEA Says BAPS Eiffel Tower Visit Dispute Is a Private Matter

When a roughly hundred‑strong delegation of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) toured the Eiffel Tower last week, a snag arose that quickly turned into a media stir. Reports surfaced that female staff at the landmark were instructed to stay out of sight, prompting a brief walk‑out by some employees. The episode, though short‑lived, sparked a flurry of comments on gender‑equality and workplace treatment.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stepped in on Tuesday, but rather than dive into the nitty‑gritty, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal framed the affair as “purely between the entities concerned.” He added that the ministry was aware of a new BAPS temple opening in the Paris area, yet emphasized that the tower incident did not merit diplomatic intervention.

For its part, BAPS issued a public apology. In a statement posted on X, the organization said the visit had been coordinated with the Eiffel Tower’s operators well before opening hours to minimise disruption. According to the group, no one was barred from accessing the monument, but they nonetheless expressed regret to anyone who felt hurt or inconvenienced.

Behind the headlines, the French side of the story unfolded with a brief strike. Societe d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), the firm that runs the tower, confirmed that the delegation had requested limited interaction with female staff. Paris mayor Emmanuel Gregoire called the episode “unacceptable,” reminding everyone that gender equality remains a non‑negotiable principle in the capital.

The whole episode, while fleeting, underscores how quickly a logistical hiccup can balloon into an international talking point. It also shows the delicate balance religious organisations and host countries must maintain when arranging high‑profile visits.

As of now, both sides appear to be moving on: MEA treats the matter as a private dispute, BAPS offers its apology, and the Eiffel Tower is back to welcoming millions of tourists each day.