An official inquiry into the controversy surrounding a Hindu religious delegation's visit to the Eiffel Tower in Paris has concluded that the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, commonly known as BAPS, never sought the removal, relocation, or segregation of female employees along the visitor route. Following the release of the official findings, the organisation issued a public statement clarifying the sequence of events and rejecting claims that it had demanded female staff be reassigned or substituted with male personnel during the visit.
Official Inquiry Findings and Statement by BAPS
BAPS, a prominent global spiritual and socio-cultural Hindu organisation affiliated with the Swaminarayan tradition and connected to the first traditional Hindu temple project in France, addressed the matter publicly on social media platform X after the investigative conclusions were formally published. In its statement, the BAPS Hindu Mandir of Paris first expressed deep concern and empathy for the employees who were affected by the disruption and resulting controversy.
The organisation underlined that its stance remained consistent throughout the entire episode: it had never instructed, asked, or suggested that female workers stationed along the Eiffel Tower visitor route be hidden, dismissed, or kept separate. According to BAPS, the official investigation independently substantiated this position, confirming that no demand or request of any kind regarding female personnel had originated from the visiting delegation.
Operational Errors and Communication Gaps Behind the Incident
The controversy initially erupted following reports alleging that during the visit of the Hindu religious delegation to the landmark Parisian monument, female staff members were instructed to vacate their posts and relocate to different sections of the tower, while male employees were brought in to take their places. The allegations triggered intense scrutiny and public debate over the protocol followed during the visit.
However, the findings of the official investigation revealed that the incident was caused by internal operational errors and miscommunication within site management. These logistical missteps led to certain female employees being shifted or replaced from their assigned stations. BAPS clarified that these administrative decisions and operational lapses should never have been interpreted as instructions or preferences from the organisation. The temple expressed optimism that the objective findings of the inquiry would provide complete clarity on the surrounding circumstances.
Moving Forward with Mutual Respect
Concluding its statement, BAPS expressed hope that the official findings and formal clarification would enable all parties involved to move past the controversy with dignity and mutual respect. The organisation reiterated that maintaining respect and harmony remains paramount, reaffirming that it made no request at any stage to alter staffing arrangements or remove female employees during its visit to the Eiffel Tower.
