Singer Chinmayi Sripaada has questioned the reported treatment of women employees at Paris’ Eiffel Tower during a recent visit by a delegation associated with BAPS, the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha.
The controversy emerged after workers at the French landmark reportedly objected to arrangements made for the religious group’s visit over the weekend. According to reports, female employees were instructed to move away from their usual workstations, with male staff taking their place while the delegation was at the monument.
The incident subsequently prompted a protest from Eiffel Tower employees, who went on strike on Monday. Speaking to Reuters, union representative Diane Davoine alleged that the women were asked to leave their work areas specifically to accommodate male colleagues, describing the experience as humiliating for those affected.
The reports caught Chinmayi’s attention, prompting her to question the reasoning behind the alleged request on X. Sharing a report about the incident, she wrote, “Why should women stay out of sight when BAPS visits? Women will pollute them or what?”
Davoine said the employees decided to meet following tensions over the weekend, with the discussions aimed at opening a dialogue with the management and ensuring that women would not be subjected to similar treatment at the company in future.
BAPS, meanwhile, has denied that anyone was barred from accessing the Eiffel Tower. In a statement shared on X, the organisation said the visit had been planned in advance with the monument’s management teams and took place during its regular opening hours.
“To our knowledge, at no time was access to the Eiffel Tower denied to anyone,” BAPS said, while also apologising to anyone who may have been “hurt or inconvenienced” by the situation. The organisation added that it remained committed to “the universal values of mutual respect and service to others".
