In response to criticism from French lawmakers, the Eiffel Tower in Paris was closed on Monday. Workers went on strike to protest allegations that female coworkers were instructed to remain out of sight during visit by a Hindu religious group.

The Eiffel Tower was visited on Sunday by over 100 members of the Bochasaanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). It is a worldwide Hindu organisation with its headquarters located in Ahmedabad, India.

As a “spiritual, volunteer-driven fellowship, BAPS is committed to advancing the Hindu principles of religion, service, and world peace while also enhancing society via personal development. On Sunday, the organisation opened a brand new Hindu temple in Paris.

The mayor of Paris begins an investigation into the visit

Emmanuel Grégoire, the mayor of Paris declared that the visit’s conditions will be looked at after the controversy. He commented on X, “I am observing the anger expressed by the Eiffel Tower employees. And I want to tell them that there this content is legitimate. No matter where in this city or at the base of our ancient monuments, equality between men and women will never end. It needs to be used everywhere for everyone. ”

Marine Le Pen, a French Far-right leader, declared that France “will never accept that the presence of women be limited.”

BAPS releases a statement

Party of about hundred BAPS members visited Eiffel Tower in private on Sunday, according to Reuters.

Due to the size of it’s group, BAPS, said in a statement that the visit to the Eiffel Tower was scheduled at the beginning of operating hours to avoid disturbing others. Their officials were however in France for celebrations around the dedication of a Hindu temple in the Paris suburbs,

“To the best of our knowledge, nobody was ever denied entry to the Eiffel Tower. However, we deeply bread any suffering or trouble we may have caused,” the statement read.