BAPS clears name after Eiffel Tower visit probe finds no women-exclusion request
Synopsis
An official investigation into the Eiffel Tower visit by a BAPS Hindu religious delegation has found no evidence that BAPS ever requested female staff be removed or excluded. With both BAPS and the SETE chief denying responsibility, the probe points to internal miscommunication — shifting the controversy from religious intent to institutional failure.
Key Takeaways
BAPS Hindu Mandir of Paris rejected claims it asked for female Eiffel Tower employees to be hidden or excluded during a religious delegation's visit.
An official investigation found BAPS made no such request for women to be excluded along the visitor route.
The probe attributed the incident to a chain of miscommunication and operational failures , not a deliberate directive.
Branco-Ruivo , head of SETE since 2018 , also denied issuing any instructions to remove or replace women during the visit.
BAPS said it hoped the findings would allow all parties to 'move forward respectfully.'
BAPS Hindu Mandir of Paris, France's first traditional Hindu temple, has firmly rejected allegations that it requested female employees be hidden, removed, or excluded during a Hindu religious delegation's visit to the Eiffel Tower. The organisation cited the findings of an official investigation, which it says conclusively establishes that no such request was made.
What the Investigation Found
According to the official investigation findings referenced by BAPS, the controversy stemmed from a chain of miscommunication and operational failures — not a deliberate directive from the visiting delegation. The probe determined that women were removed or replaced at their posts as a result of these internal breakdowns, rather than any instruction from BAPS.
In a post on X, BAPS stated: 'From the outset, BAPS has consistently stated that it never asked for female employees to be hidden, removed or excluded. The investigation establishes this fact that BAPS made no such request for women to be excluded along the visitor route.'
SETE Chief Also Denies Issuing Instructions
The incident also drew a response from Branco-Ruivo, who has led the Societe d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE) since 2018. In a message addressed to employees, he distanced himself from any decision to sideline women during the visit.
'I wish to reiterate that at no point did I give any instructions aimed at removing or replacing women within this delegation,' Branco-Ruivo said.
Background: How the Controversy Emerged
The controversy erupted after reports surfaced that female Eiffel Tower staff were reportedly sidelined during the delegation's visit. The incident drew sharp public attention and raised questions about whether religious protocols had been imposed on a public landmark in France — a country with a strong tradition of secularism, or laïcité. BAPS, which operates one of the most prominent Hindu mandirs in Europe, moved swiftly to deny the claims from the outset.
This is not the first time Hindu religious delegations abroad have faced scrutiny over interactions with host institutions. The episode highlights the sensitivities involved when religious visits intersect with workplace equality norms in secular democracies.
BAPS Calls for Respectful Resolution
BAPS said it hoped the official findings would help clarify the circumstances and allow all parties involved to move forward. 'BAPS wishes first to reiterate its concern for the employees affected by the events surrounding the visit,' the organisation said in its post, signalling an intent to engage constructively rather than escalate the dispute.
The investigation's conclusions are likely to shape the narrative going forward, as both BAPS and SETE leadership maintain that the exclusion of women was neither requested nor sanctioned at the top.
Point of View
Who did, and why did operational staff comply? That gap in the official findings is the part most mainstream coverage is likely to gloss over. The episode also underscores how quickly allegations of gender discrimination can escalate when they involve religion in a country with France's strict secularist tradition — making transparent, swift investigations not just a legal necessity but a reputational imperative for both sides.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the BAPS Eiffel Tower controversy about?
The controversy arose after reports claimed that female Eiffel Tower staff were sidelined during a visit by a Hindu religious delegation associated with BAPS Hindu Mandir of Paris. The incident sparked public debate about whether religious protocols were imposed on employees at a French public landmark.
What did the official investigation find?
The official investigation found that BAPS made no request for female employees to be hidden, removed, or excluded during the delegation's visit. It attributed the incident to a chain of miscommunication and operational failures within the Eiffel Tower's management structure.
What is BAPS Hindu Mandir of Paris?
BAPS Hindu Mandir of Paris is described as France's first traditional Hindu temple. It is part of the global BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha organisation and serves as a prominent Hindu religious institution in Europe.
What did SETE chief Branco-Ruivo say?
Branco-Ruivo, who has headed the Societe d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE) since 2018, said in a message to employees that he never gave any instructions to remove or replace women during the delegation's visit.
What has BAPS said following the investigation's publication?
BAPS said it welcomed the investigation's findings as confirmation of its consistent position, expressed concern for the employees affected, and said it hoped the clarification would enable everyone involved to move forward respectfully.
