BAPS's France tour was a disaster:
on Saturday, a BAPS delegation visited the Eiffel Tower. Female staff were instructed to make themselves invisible. Some were told to leave their posts and wait in back rooms. At some stations they were replaced by men.
On Monday, the Eiffel Tower did not open. The staff went on strike. The operator had to issue a public apology. Every major French outlet ran it. AFP put it on the wire, which means it runs worldwide.
Consider what that headline says to a French reader who has never thought about India before: Eiffel Tower shut after Hindu delegation had women removed.
Right now it's everywhere in the French media and every French politician has to comment on it.
The one and only time Hinduism gets discussed in France, it's to explain that Hindus ask women to leave.
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1September 8, 2026 2.9K 8 5