MACRON IS APPROACHING THE FINAL PHASE OF HIS CURRENT PRESIDENCY, BUT A VIRAL CLAIM CREDITING HIM PERSONALLY WITH “APPROVING THE FIRST HINDU TEMPLE IN PARIS” NEEDS SOME

 

MMANUEL MACRON IS APPROACHING THE FINAL PHASE OF HIS CURRENT PRESIDENCY, BUT A VIRAL CLAIM CREDITING HIM PERSONALLY WITH “APPROVING THE FIRST HINDU TEMPLE IN PARIS” NEEDS SOME CLARIFICATION. Macron is serving his second consecutive term as President of France, which ends in 2027, and under the French Constitution he cannot immediately seek a third consecutive presidential term. That means France will have a new presidential election in 2027, although describing Macron as permanently “retiring from politics” would go beyond what is currently established.  Meanwhile, France is preparing for an important milestone for its Hindu community: the opening of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Bussy-Saint-Georges, in the Paris region, in September 2026. BAPS describes it as France’s first traditionally designed, purpose-built Hindu temple, with a major cultural festival scheduled from September 2 to 14.  However, available records show that the project’s local foundations predate Macron’s presidency. In 2017, Bussy-Saint-Georges Mayor Yann Dubosc confirmed the allocation of land to BAPS on the city’s multifaith Esplanade for a Hindu place of worship. The Bhumi Pujan followed in 2021, the foundation-stone ceremony in 2022, and construction formally advanced in 2024. Therefore, saying that Macron personally approved the temple would oversimplify a project involving BAPS, local authorities, planners, architects and supporters over many years.  Still, the mandir represents a beautiful milestone for Hindu religious and cultural life in France and also reflects the broader people-to-people relationship between India and France. The temple will welcome visitors of all faiths and backgrounds, emphasizing worship, learning, culture and coexistence.  Whatever one’s political opinion of Macron, India-France relations have grown significantly during his presidency across defence, technology, space, education and strategic cooperation. The Paris Mandir’s opening in 2026 will add another cultural bridge between the two societies and give the Hindu community a historic new spiritual home in France.