The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday reacted to reports surrounding the visit of a BAPS delegation to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, saying the issue was strictly between the parties involved.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was aware of the opening of a BAPS temple in the Paris area, while distancing the ministry from the controversy involving the iconic French landmark.
What happened at the Eiffel Tower?
The remarks came a day after the Eiffel Tower was shut following allegations by staff that female employees had been asked to leave certain areas during the visit of the BAPS group.
The landmark reopened on Tuesday.
Responding to a question on the reported incident, Jaiswal said, “We are aware of the opening of a temple by the BAPS Sanstha in the Paris area. As to the particular issue pertaining to the Tower, this is a matter purely between the entities concerned.”
The statement marked the MEA’s response to questions over the reported restrictions on women employees during the delegation’s visit.
MEA on PM Modi’s BAPS temple address
The ministry was also asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at the inauguration of the BAPS temple.
Jaiswal described the Prime Minister’s participation as part of a common practice of conveying greetings on such occasions. He said Modi’s message for the event was delivered virtually.
“It is a common practice for the Prime Minister to convey his good wishes on such occasions. In this case, it was done virtually. There is no cause for any comment in this regard,” the MEA spokesperson added.
The comments came as questions were raised over the circumstances surrounding the Eiffel Tower’s temporary closure and the reported treatment of female staff during the BAPS delegation’s visit.
BAPS, or Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, had held the temple inauguration in the Paris area, an event that also drew attention because of the Prime Minister’s virtual participation.
For the MEA, however, the reported Eiffel Tower incident remains a matter involving the entities concerned, with the ministry declining to offer further comment on the specific issue.