Eiffel Tower Chief Steps Down Over Staff Removal

Why the resignation happened

Patrick Branco Ruivo, the director general of the company that operates the Eiffel Tower, will step down at the end of the year. The resignation follows an internal investigation that found "operational flaws and shortcomings" in organizing a private visit by members of the BAPS Hindu sect. The probe concluded that these flaws led to the "unacceptable" removal of female staff during the event.

The incident occurred earlier this month when a delegation of around 100 people linked to the BAPS group visited the Paris landmark. The group, which strictly separates men and women in its activities, had requested that the visit be organized to limit interactions with women. In response, female employees were reportedly replaced by male colleagues and instructed not to cross certain areas.

The decision sparked a walkout by staff on September 8 and drew condemnation from French politicians. Yaël Braun-Pivet, the president of France's National Assembly, stated she would not allow women to be compelled to step aside to meet the demands of foreign visitors. The company's chair, Ariel Weil, has since requested the implementation of measures and training programs to promote gender equality.

Context on the Hindu group involved

The group responsible for the visit is the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a worldwide religious and civic organization within the Swaminarayan sect. The visit coincided with celebrations to mark the inauguration of a traditional Hindu stone temple near the French capital. The group has ties to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

BAPS draws its beliefs from the teachings of Lord Swaminarayan, a late 18th-century ascetic regarded by followers as an incarnation of Vishnu. The organization strictly segregates men and women in temple activities and building entrances. While the group states that this segregation was introduced for the benefit of women, critics argue that such 18th-century beliefs are discriminatory in the modern world.

Following the backlash, BAPS issued a statement offering "sincere apologies to anyone who may have been hurt or inconvenienced by this situation." The group describes itself as a "spiritual, volunteer-driven fellowship dedicated to improving society" through Hindu values and maintains temples in major cities worldwide, including London, Los Angeles, and Sydney.

What happens next

The Eiffel Tower operator, SETE, has confirmed that the leadership transition will take place at the end of the year. The company stated that the coming months will be used to prepare for the change under the best possible conditions. This follows a period of intense scrutiny for the monument, which closed temporarily as staff protested the management's decision.

French authorities have initiated separate investigations into the incident. The Socialist mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Gregoire, ordered probes to examine the circumstances of the visit and the operational decisions made by management. The controversy has also highlighted a broader debate in France regarding the accommodation of religious practices and the protection of gender equality in public spaces.

The resignation of the director general marks a significant development in the aftermath of the incident. It signals a shift in leadership as the company seeks to address the operational failures and restore public trust. The focus will now be on implementing the requested gender equality measures and ensuring that future events are managed without discrimination.

Sources and context

france24.com — Eiffel Tower chief to step down over removal of women staff during Hindu group's visit

bbc.co.uk — Eiffel Tower chief to quit after female staff replaced by men during religious visit