Patrick Branco Ruivo, the director general of the company that operates the Eiffel Tower, is set to leave his position following a controversy involving a private visit by a Hindu religious group. Reports indicate that during this visit, female staff members were instructed to avoid the area or were excluded from interacting with the group, allegedly to accommodate the group's religious requirements.

The decision for Ruivo to stand down follows public and internal criticism regarding the incident. While the company has not provided extensive details on the specific internal directives that led to the exclusion, the event has sparked a broader conversation about the balance between respecting religious customs and maintaining secular workplace standards in France.

There is currently no public statement from the Hindu group involved regarding their specific requests during the tour, nor has the operating company released a full report on the internal disciplinary actions taken. The resignation marks a significant leadership change for the monument, which is a state-owned enterprise subject to strict French secularism laws. The transition is expected to occur in the coming weeks as the company reviews its protocols for private events to ensure they align with company policy and national labor standards.