An influential Hindu group, which opened a new temple in Paris addressed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, apologized after a controversial visit to the Eiffel Tower prompted a staff strike that shut the landmark for a day.
The apology follows allegations that female employees were asked to leave their workstations or stay out of sight during the visit by Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), according to Indian and French media reports. In a statement, the company that runs the Eiffel Tower said that BAPS had asked for interactions to be “limited” during the visit, a request that it shouldn’t have accepted.
The BAPS delegation was in Paris to inaugurate a Hindu temple, an event that was addressed virtually by Modi. In the past, the Indian leader has referred to one of the group’s former heads as a father figure.
AloJapan.com