Eiffel Tower chief to leave after women staff were kept from Hindu delegation
Developing story first seen 2 hours ago
The head of the Eiffel Tower Operating Company, Patrick Branco Ruivo, is to step down at the end of 2026 following an internal inquiry into a controversial decision to exclude female staff during a visit by a Hindu religious group. The incident, which occurred in September, prompted a staff strike and sparked widespread outrage, as it violated France's core republican values of equality and non-discrimination.
During a visit by the BAPS spiritual movement on 5 September, the tower's management ordered female employees to remain out of sight, with some removed from their posts and confined to separate rooms whilst others were replaced by male staff. The BAPS delegation had requested limited interactions with women, citing the religious vows of monks including their 93-year-old spiritual leader, Mahant Swami Maharaj, whose beliefs forbid contact with women. Both BAPS and Paris city hall have since apologised for the incident, with the organisation acknowledging that such conditions "should not have been accepted."
- Eiffel Tower chief quits after female staff excluded during Hindu group visit
- September incident breached French equality principles, triggering staff strike
- Religious vows of visiting monks prompted controversial request for female staff removal
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Religious freedom and pluralism require genuine accommodation of sincere beliefs held by faith communities. The BAPS delegation's request reflected deeply held theological convictions about monastic vows, similar to practices accommodated across many religions, and was made respectfully in advance. A pluralistic society should demonstrate flexibility towards minority groups visiting public spaces, and the visit celebrated an important milestone for France's Hindu community. Respecting diverse traditions—particularly when groups ask politely rather than demand—strengthens social cohesion rather than undermining it.
The case against
France's founding principle of laïcité and constitutional guarantee of equal dignity demand that public institutions never require citizens to hide or be excluded based on sex, regardless of religious justification. The Eiffel Tower belongs to all French citizens equally; permitting sex-based discrimination in public employment sets a dangerous precedent that could justify similar exclusions by other groups claiming religious grounds. True religious freedom does not require accommodating practices that violate others' fundamental rights, and the BAPS delegation could have visited without demanding the removal of female staff. Institutional neutrality and women's equal participation in public life cannot be negotiable in the name of cultural respect.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Eiffel Tower chief to quit after female staff told to stay hidden during Hindu group visit”.