Eiffel Tower CEO to resign following controversy over staff replacement during religious visit

A delegation of BAPS Hindu monks visited the Eiffel Tower as part of a visit to Paris to open a new temple earlier this month. Patrick Branco Ruivo, the chief executive of the company that operates the Eiffel Tower, will resign at the end of the year following backlash regarding the replacement of female staff with male colleagues during the visit by the Hindu religious group. The company, SETE, stated that an internal investigation revealed "operational flaws and shortcomings" in organizing the visit, which led to the "unacceptable" removal of female staff. The delegation, consisting of around 100 members from the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), had requested that the visit limit "interactions with women," a condition that SETE acknowledged should not have been accepted. A staff union representative reported that female employees were asked to leave their positions and felt "humiliated." Additionally, female staff were instructed not to enter certain areas while the delegation was present. The incident prompted a strike by staff at the monument and drew condemnation from politicians. Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of France's National Assembly, stated, "I refuse to allow women to be compelled to step aside in order to meet the demands of foreign visitors." Emmanuel Gregoire, the Socialist mayor of Paris, described the decision as "absurd, unjust and unacceptable" and initiated two separate investigations. SETE chair Ariel Weil announced plans for measures and training programs to promote gender equality. BAPS issued an apology for any distress caused, emphasizing their commitment to mutual respect and service. The group describes itself as a "spiritual, volunteer-driven fellowship dedicated to improving society" through Hindu values and operates temples in various global cities. Critics argue that the segregation of men and women is outdated and discriminatory.