Eiffel Tower women staff told to ‘make themselves invisible’ for BAPS team visit, Hindu group clarifies - Telegraph India

**Eiffel Tower Women Staff Asked to “Make Themselves Invisible” During BAPS Visit, Hindu Group Clarifies**

*Paris –* On 7 September, a controversy erupted at the Eiffel Tower after several female staff members were reportedly instructed to “make themselves invisible” while a delegation from the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Sanstha (BAPS), a major Hindu organization, toured the monument. According to eyewitness accounts and statements from the tower’s management, the directive was meant to comply with the religious sensitivities of the visiting group, who requested that no women be present in certain areas during their inspection of the site’s heritage and security protocols. The instruction was relayed to the women’s shift supervisors just hours before the visit, prompting a sudden reshuffling of duties and the temporary removal of female custodial staff from public-facing roles.

The incident quickly drew criticism from Indian political figures and media outlets. Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi labeled the move “not a reflection of how India thinks,” arguing that it perpetuated gender bias. Similarly, Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Confederation of Jain Practitioners, warned against allowing “regressive men” to become custodians of religion, suggesting the episode could set a troubling precedent for other cultural sites worldwide. BAPS, for its part, issued a clarification stating that the request was rooted in a specific ceremonial practice and that the organization does not endorse gender discrimination. The group emphasized that its aim was to ensure a respectful environment for the ritual, not to marginalise female employees.

Following the public outcry, the Eiffel Tower’s operating authority announced that the monument would reopen to the public the following day, with all staff reinstated to their regular positions. The authority also pledged to review its visitor‑management policies to prevent similar incidents, highlighting a commitment to gender‑inclusive practices. The episode has reignited a broader debate in France and beyond about the balance between accommodating religious customs and upholding workplace equality, underscoring the challenges that global landmarks face when navigating diverse cultural expectations.