François Picard expressed approval for Anish Gawande’s scrutiny of the recent BAPS temple inauguration near Paris, describing it as an event that extends beyond a narrow disagreement regarding the treatment of female employees at the Eiffel Tower.
Picard contends that the incident reveals a wider, inadequately examined convergence of religious influence, diplomatic maneuvering, political authority, labor standards, and diaspora dynamics. The core of this analysis centers on the ambiguous distinction between private religious functions and those endorsed by the state.
I wonder if Gawande’s critique targets the institution itself or the political optics of hosting such a high-profile event in France.
Finally, someone is connecting the dots between religious influence and state diplomacy. This goes far beyond labor disputes.