Eiffel Tower chief to resign after female staff excluded during Hindu visit

The chief executive of the Eiffel Tower’s operating company, Patrick Branco Ruivo, has agreed to step down by year’s end following a controversy over the exclusion of female staff during a visit by a Hindu religious delegation. The incident, which sparked widespread outrage in France, has reignited debates over gender equality and cultural sensitivity in public institutions.

The dispute centered on a September 5 visit by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a global Hindu organization known for its strict gender segregation practices. According to an independent investigation commissioned by the Société d’Exploitation de la tour Eiffel (SETE), operational failures led to the removal of female employees from the Eiffel Tower during the visit. Staff were reportedly instructed to avoid contact with the delegation, which had traveled to Paris to celebrate the inauguration of a traditional Hindu temple in Bussy-Saint-Georges, east of Paris. The group, which practises a conservative form of Hinduism, said its request for limited interactions with women stemmed from the presence of monks, including its spiritual leader, Mahant Swami Maharaj, 93, whose vows forbid any contact with women.

“The situation was unacceptable,” SETE stated in a public declaration, citing the “unacceptable” nature of excluding female workers. The company’s chair, Ariel Weil, confirmed that measures to promote gender equality would be introduced, including training programs. However, the incident triggered immediate backlash from employees, who staged a strike on September 7, leading to the tower’s temporary closure. Staff described being asked to leave their posts and wait in separate rooms, with some positions replaced by men. “Some were asked to leave their places of work and instructed not to go through or cross certain areas,” they wrote, calling the policies “deeply contrary to the values of equality and nondiscrimination.”

Political and Public Condemnation of the Incident

The controversy drew sharp criticism from French political figures. Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of France’s National Assembly, denounced the decision as an affront to women’s rights, stating, “I refuse to allow women to be compelled to step aside in order to meet the demands of foreign visitors.” Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire called the incident “absurd, unjust, and unacceptable,” ordering two separate investigations into the matter. City hall also apologised for failing to observe France’s republican principle of equality, acknowledging the “unacceptable situation” created by the exclusion of female staff.

BAPS, which describes itself as a “spiritual, volunteer-driven fellowship,” issued a statement apologizing for “any pain or inconvenience caused” but defended its gender segregation policies as rooted in “the benefit of women” and “universal values of mutual respect.” The group, which has ties to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political sphere, emphasized that its practices are intended to “protect women’s dignity.” However, critics argue that such 18th-century traditions conflict with modern principles of equality.

The Eiffel Tower, a symbol of French heritage, has faced previous labor disputes. It was closed for six days in February 2024 due to strikes over maintenance and wages. The latest incident has further strained relations between management and staff, with union representatives describing the exclusion of women as “humiliating.”

BAPS and Gender Segregation: A Contested Practice

BAPS’s approach to gender segregation, which includes separate temple entrances and restricted interactions between men and women, has long been a point of contention. While the organization claims its practices protect women’s dignity, critics argue they perpetuate discrimination. The Eiffel Tower incident has intensified scrutiny of such policies, particularly in multicultural settings where religious traditions clash with local norms.

SETE’s decision to replace female staff with men during the visit has been criticised as a failure to uphold workplace equality. A union representative described the instructions as “unacceptable,” noting that female employees were “asked to leave their places of work” and “instructed not to go through or cross certain areas.” The incident has also sparked broader discussions about the limits of accommodating religious practices in public spaces.

Timeline of Key Events

• September 5: BAPS delegation visits Eiffel Tower; female staff excluded per management instructions. The group’s visit coincided with the inauguration of its first traditional temple in France.
• September 7: Employees strike, leading to Eiffel Tower closure. SETE initiates internal investigation.
• September 29: SETE announces Ruivo’s resignation at year’s end. BAPS issues apology.
• February 2024: Eiffel Tower closed for six days due to prior staff strikes over wages and maintenance.

Patrick Branco Ruivo, a graduate of the École Nationale d’Administration, the hothouse grande école for France’s political class, now closed, had previously been an adviser to the former Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo on issues related to the modernisation of public services. He was appointed director general of Sete in November 2018. His resignation marks the end of his tenure, which began in 2018. As SETE prepares for a leadership transition, the incident underscores the challenges of balancing religious practices with workplace equity in a globalised world. The next steps for the Eiffel Tower’s management remain uncertain, but the controversy has already left a lasting mark on its reputation.