Government distances itself from BAPS Eiffel Tower tour row

The External Affairs Ministry has stepped back from the ongoing dispute over the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha's (BAPS) visit to the Eiffel Tower, characterizing the matter as "purely between the entities involved." Officials indicated that the controversy, which has drawn public attention, remains a bilateral issue between BAPS and the Eiffel Tower's management authorities.

The clarification comes in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's virtual inauguration of a BAPS temple in Paris on Sunday. The temple opening marked a significant milestone for the Hindu organization's presence in France, with Modi participating in the ceremony remotely.

The Eiffel Tower tour has sparked debate in recent days, with various stakeholders expressing differing views on the event. By positioning the issue as a matter between private entities, the ministry has sought to separate the diplomatic significance of the temple inauguration from the controversy surrounding the tour arrangements.

The External Affairs Ministry's position underscores the government's intent to focus on the broader cultural and religious contributions of Indian organizations operating abroad, while maintaining distance from operational or logistical decisions made by these groups during their international activities.