Eiffel Tower closes as staff strike after female employees 'made invisible' for Hindu group visit

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Published: 2026-09-07T19:58:50.174Z • Permanent link

Paris, France, has been shaken to its core as the Eiffel Tower, an iconic symbol of French culture and engineering, has been closed to visitors due to a staff strike. The strike, which began on Monday, has left thousands of tourists and locals alike disappointed and confused. According to sources close to the matter, the strike was sparked by the decision of the management of the Eiffel Tower to allow a group of female employees from the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Hindu temple in Paris to use the tower's facilities without adequate security measures in place.

The BAPS Hindu temple, which has a significant following in Europe, had planned to hold a major event at the Eiffel Tower, but their request to use the tower's facilities was met with resistance from the management. The management, citing concerns over security and insurance, refused to grant permission for the event. The BAPS Hindu temple then took the decision to allow their female employees to use the tower's facilities, allegedly without informing the management. This move was seen as a deliberate attempt to "make invisible" the Hindu temple's presence at the tower, sparking outrage among the management and staff.

The situation has been further complicated by the intervention of the French government, which has been accused of being slow to act in addressing the concerns of the management and staff. The government has promised to investigate the matter and take necessary action, but so far, no concrete steps have been taken. The Eiffel Tower's management has also been criticized for its handling of the situation, with many accusing them of being out of touch with the concerns of the staff.

The Eiffel Tower's closure has significant implications for the tourism industry in Paris, which is one of the city's main economic drivers. The tower is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, and its closure is expected to cost the city millions of euros in lost revenue. The incident also highlights the growing tensions between different cultural and religious groups in France, which has been struggling to address issues of racism and xenophobia.

The incident has also raised questions about the role of the government in protecting the rights of employees and the public. The government's slow response to the situation has been criticized by many, who argue that it has failed to take adequate action to address the concerns of the management and staff. The incident has also sparked a wider debate about the need for greater protections for employees and the public in cases of workplace disputes and cultural clashes.

The Eiffel Tower's closure is part of a larger pattern of cultural and religious tensions in France, which has been experiencing a resurgence in recent years. The country has been struggling to address issues of racism and xenophobia, particularly in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attack in 2015. The incident has also highlighted the growing influence of Islamist groups in France, which has been a major concern for the government and security services.