Eiffel Tower Chief to Quit After Backlash Over Female Staff Replaced by Men During Hindu Visit

The Eiffel Tower's director general, Patrick Branco Ruivo, will step down at the end of the year after an internal investigation found "operational flaws and shortcomings" in organizing a visit by a Hindu religious group, which led to the removal of female staff and sparked outrage among staff and politicians.

According to SETE, the company that runs the Eiffel Tower, the visit was organized to limit "interactions with women" and the group's request was not accepted. A staff union representative said female employees were "instructed not to go through or cross certain areas while the delegation was present" and felt "humiliated".

Read More: Australia Reveals World's First Rogue AI Hack, Takes Aim at Big Tech Regulation

Ariel Weil, the SETE chair, announced on Tuesday that he had initiated a push for gender equality initiatives. This includes training programs, to be rolled out. As the leadership transition period approaches, Weil expressed confidence that the months ahead would enable a smooth handover.

Meanwhile, BAPS has acknowledged a recent incident. Officials stated that it regrets any distress it may have caused and reaffirms its commitment to mutual respect and service.

The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) has faced allegations of discriminatory behavior. Rooted in its adherence to the teachings of Lord Swaminarayan, a 18th-century ascetic who renounced worldly life. Critics argue that the organization's rigid stance on women's roles.

Also Read: Russian Occupation Authorities Under Fire Over Oleshky Starvation Crisis

Dating back to its 18th-century inception, is inconsistent with modern values and constitutes a form of exclusionary practice.

The Eiffel Tower's closure during the visit and the subsequent strike by staff highlighted the outrage and condemnation from politicians and the public. The Socialist mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Gregoire, called it an "absurd, unjust and unacceptable decision" and ordered two separate investigations.