MEA Breaks Silence on Eiffel Tower BAPS Row: Calls Controversy 'Between Entities Concerned'
New Delhi / Paris: India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has officially responded to the international controversy surrounding a visit by a delegation from the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) to the Eiffel Tower. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made it clear that New Delhi considers the operational dispute at the iconic Paris landmark a private matter between the parties involved.
"We are aware of the opening of a temple by the BAPS Sanstha in the Paris area. As to the particular issue pertaining to the Tower, this is a matter purely between the entities concerned," Jaiswal stated during a media interaction.
The ministry’s statement comes a day after the Eiffel Tower closed on Monday following a walkout by employees. The landmark reopened to visitors on Tuesday after management held emergency discussions with staff unions.
Key Developments in the Paris Controversy
- Staff Allegations: Eiffel Tower union representative Diane Davoine told news agency Reuters that female workers were instructed to step aside or move away from specific zones during the delegation's movement, leaving many feeling "humiliated."
- Management Admission: Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE) acknowledged the group had asked to "limit interactions with women," admitting management should not have accepted such terms.
- SETE Response: SETE President Ariel Weil reaffirmed the monument's commitment to gender equality and French republican values.
- BAPS Apology: BAPS Paris issued a public clarification stating access was never denied to anyone, offering sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused.
- MEA Position: Official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the temple inauguration was standard virtual goodwill and declined further comment on the tower dispute.
How the Controversy Erupted in Paris
The dispute arose during a visit by a 100-member BAPS delegation following the inauguration of its new Hindu temple in the Paris suburbs.
Staff members at the Eiffel Tower alleged that female workers were instructed to leave their assigned posts, clear designated zones, or yield their responsibilities to male colleagues while the delegation moved through the complex.
Diane Davoine, speaking on behalf of the staff union, stated that female employees felt degraded by the instructions.
"During the visit of this delegation, women were asked to leave their places of work in order to place men there," Davoine told Reuters, adding that workers launched a strike to demand assurances that female staff would not face gender-based restrictions again.
Monument Management & French Leaders React
The operating company SETE acknowledged receiving a request from delegation representatives to limit contact with female staff. SETE management acknowledged that agreeing to these conditions violated company norms.
SETE President Ariel Weil addressed the incident publicly, affirming: "I restate the Eiffel Tower's commitment to republican values and to the equality of men and women." Paris municipal authorities also initiated a formal inquiry into the operational oversight.
BAPS Issues Statement and Apology
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Paris stated that the visit was coordinated ahead of time with monument administration and denied intentionally excluding anyone.
"To our knowledge, at no time was access to the Eiffel Tower denied to anyone. Nevertheless, we wish to offer our sincere apologies to anyone who may have been hurt or inconvenienced by this situation. We are deeply committed to the universal values of mutual respect and service to others," the organization stated.
MEA on PM Modi's Virtual Address
During the press briefing, Randhir Jaiswal also addressed questions regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s virtual speech at the temple inauguration over the weekend.
Jaiswal noted that extending good wishes during diaspora and cultural events is routine practice. "In this case, it was done virtually. There is no cause for any comment in this regard," he added.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why was the Eiffel Tower temporarily closed?
👉 The Eiffel Tower closed briefly after staff went on strike over allegations that female workers were asked to leave their posts during a private delegation visit.
Q2: What was the Indian Government's official response?
👉 The MEA stated it was aware of the new BAPS temple in Paris, but emphasized that operational matters at the Eiffel Tower remain strictly between BAPS and SETE management.
Q3: Did BAPS clarify its position?
👉 Yes, BAPS Paris issued a statement clarifying that the tour was pre-arranged, denying that access was restricted, and offering apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Eiffel Tower BAPS Row, MEA Randhir Jaiswal Statement, BAPS Paris Temple Controversy
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