Yann Dubosc, Mayor of Bussy-Saint-Georges near Paris, has lauded the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) for a decade of positive, transparent engagement with the city. Speaking on 12 September, the Mayor described BAPS as a trusted pillar of the town's diverse religious and cultural fabric — remarks that come amid recent unrelated rumours about women's entry at the Eiffel Tower.

A decade of dialogue and coexistence

Mayor Dubosc said the relationship between BAPS and the city administration had deepened through regular dialogue, growing mutual understanding, and a shared commitment to collaboration. The BAPS Hindu Mandir stands on Bussy-Saint-Georges' distinctive 'Esplanade of Religions and Cultures', a civic space that already houses two Buddhist pagodas, a synagogue, and a mosque — creating a rare setting where multiple faiths coexist side by side.

According to the Mayor, the Mandir reflects the identity of Bussy-Saint-Georges and its ethos of peaceful coexistence. He noted that the project had been developed with full openness, with information shared through the press and social media at every stage.

BAPS's role in local interfaith life

Over the past decade, BAPS has reportedly become an active and trusted member of the Esplanade's interfaith community. The organisation presided over the interfaith body in 2023 and continues to participate regularly in its activities. Mayor Dubosc also referenced warm appreciation expressed for BAPS by representatives of the local Protestant community, underscoring the breadth of the Sanstha's acceptance across faiths.

Mayor recalls 2023 Town Hall visit

Sharing a personal anecdote, Dubosc recalled welcoming a delegation of BAPS swamis to the Town Hall in 2023. He described their conduct as respectful and cordial, and stressed that at no point was anyone — including female members of staff — asked to move or leave the premises. The Mayor praised the dignity and calm consistently demonstrated by the BAPS community, noting that such trust had been built through years of direct, sustained interaction.

Cultural festival draws tens of thousands

Dubosc also highlighted the scale and success of the cultural festival associated with the Mandir. The twelve-day celebration attracted tens of thousands of visitors from around the world, with 41 countries represented. Cultural and culinary programmes introduced visitors to Hindu traditions while bringing together people from different backgrounds. The Mayor thanked the organising teams and nearly 3,000 volunteers whose dedication made both the Mandir and the festival possible after years of sustained effort.

Values that 'touched' the city

In his concluding remarks, Mayor Dubosc said the spirit of Hinduism had touched the people of Bussy-Saint-Georges. He highlighted the values of forgiveness, mutual support, and solidarity, describing them as essential to building a more positive and harmonious society. He invited those present to recognise and applaud the women and men whose commitment had enabled the BAPS Hindu Mandir to take its rightful place within the life of the city.

The Mayor's public endorsement comes at a time when interfaith dialogue in France remains a sensitive but increasingly important civic priority, lending the BAPS model in Bussy-Saint-Georges broader relevance as a template for religious coexistence in urban Europe.