The Eiffel Tower is set to reopen on Tuesday following a staff walkout that protested the alleged removal of women employees during a recent visit by a Hindu religious delegation. The operating company, SETE, acknowledged that the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) group had requested that interactions with women be limited during their visit on Saturday.

SETE stated that these conditions should not have been accepted, admitting fault in accommodating the delegation's request. The incident led to staff members walking out, causing the closure of the iconic landmark. The protest highlights a clash between accommodating visiting groups and upholding gender equality principles in the workplace.

Staff representatives issued a statement condemning the "professional instructions that led to female employees being sidelined, replaced and made invisible because of their sex." They reported that some women were asked to leave their posts and were replaced by men in certain areas, with all female employees instructed to avoid specific zones during the delegation's presence.

The BAPS spiritual movement has since issued an apology for any "pain or inconvenience caused" by their visit. The organisation stated that, to their knowledge, no one was prevented from accessing the Eiffel Tower and that the visit was arranged at the start of operating hours to minimize disruption.

French politicians have also voiced strong criticism. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire announced an investigation into the incident, acknowledging the legitimacy of the employees' anger. Yael Braun-Pivet, president of the National Assembly, emphasized that welcoming visitors should not compromise core values, stating that women are fully present in French public life and should not be made invisible.

This event has sparked debate about the acceptable limits of cultural or religious accommodation in public institutions. The incident raises questions about the protocols in place for managing special requests from visiting groups and ensuring the equal treatment of all staff.

SETE's admission of error and commitment to reopening after discussions with staff indicate a move towards resolving the immediate situation. However, the broader implications for how such requests are handled in the future remain a significant point of discussion.

Further details regarding the investigation and any potential policy changes by SETE are expected as the situation develops.