France and US scrutinize BAPS over Hindu nationalism ties

BAPS, a Hindu sect known as the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, is under intense scrutiny in France after a protest at the Eiffel Tower this week. The demonstration, which drew hundreds of Indian expatriates, targeted the group’s planned mega‑temple on the outskirts of Paris. The protest raised questions about how the temple received approval from French authorities and why concerns were not raised earlier. The sect has already faced scrutiny in the United States more than five years ago, when U.S. officials investigated potential links between BAPS and far‑right Hindu nationalist movements.

The controversy comes amid growing unease about the influence of Hindu nationalist ideology abroad. BAPS has grown rapidly in the diaspora, building temples and community centers in the United States, Canada, and Australia. In France, the organization has been building a large temple that is set to be the biggest Hindu place of worship in Europe. The French government granted the construction permit in 2021, citing cultural diversity and religious freedom. However, the recent strike highlighted allegations that BAPS may be a vehicle for far‑right Hindu politics, a claim that the French community of Indian origin has long been trying to bring to light. The protest was organized by a coalition of Indian diaspora groups who argue that the sect’s political leanings could threaten secular values in France.

In the United States, a federal investigation launched in 2018 focused on BAPS’ financial ties to Hindu nationalist groups. The U.S. Department of Justice subpoenaed documents and interviewed former leaders, concluding that while BAPS had received donations from politically active donors, there was no evidence of direct collaboration with extremist organizations. French officials have called the U.S. case “relevant” but noted that domestic oversight in France is different. BAPS has issued a statement saying it is a purely spiritual organization and that it will cooperate fully with French authorities. Meanwhile, the Indian community in France has called for a thorough review of the temple’s funding and the organization’s political affiliations.

The next steps will likely involve a formal audit of the temple’s construction permits and financial records. French lawmakers are expected to hold a parliamentary inquiry into the approval process, and the Interior Ministry has said it will monitor BAPS’ activities more closely. The outcome could set a precedent for how France balances religious freedom with vigilance against extremist influences, a delicate issue that will resonate beyond the borders of Paris.