Lenskart Controversy: Eyewear giant Lenskart has landed in the middle of a nationwide controversy after an internal grooming document allegedly restricted certain Hindu religious symbols while allowing others.
The issue quickly spread across social media and triggered strong reactions from customers, activists, and political commentators.
The controversy began when an internal style and grooming guide surfaced online. The document reportedly listed strict rules about employee appearance, including instructions about religious symbols. Many social media users noticed that the guide did not permit bindis, tilaks, and sacred threads, while allowing hijabs and turbans under certain conditions.
Soon after the document went viral, users accused the company of religious discrimination, sparking widespread anger and calls to boycott the brand.
What is the New Lenskart Dress Code?
Lenskart updated its in-store dress code after facing strong criticism over an earlier version that restricted Hindu religious symbols, such as bindi and tilak, while allowing hijabs. The controversy spread widely on social media, where many users accused the company of religious bias. In response, the eyewear brand clarified that the viral policy was outdated and did not represent its current rules.
The company, co-founded by Peyush Bansal, shared a link to the revised style guide on X and stated, 'We have heard you. Clearly and openly. Over the past few days, our community and customers have spoken - and we have listened. Today, we are standardising our In-Store Style Guide and sharing it publicly and transparently.' The updated guidelines continue to emphasise a neat and professional appearance but now allow religious, cultural, and family symbols such as bindi, tilak, sindoor, sacred threads, bangles, kalawa, mangalsutra, and kada.
Employees can also continue wearing hijabs. The company further apologised, saying, 'If any version of our workplace communication caused hurt or made any of our team members feel that their faith was unwelcome here, we are deeply sorry. That is not who Lenskart is, and it is not who we will ever be.'
Lenskart Controversy: What Did the Viral Grooming Document Say?
The leaked grooming guide reportedly included detailed appearance rules for store employees. According to reports, it stated that:
- "Bindi is not allowed", and tilaks were also restricted.
- Religious threads such as kalawa had to be removed.
- Sindoor had to remain minimal and not fall on the forehead.
- Hijabs and turbans were permitted but had to follow specific styling rules.
Many users questioned why some religious markers were restricted while others were allowed. The difference in treatment of symbols became the main trigger behind the outrage.
As screenshots of the document spread online, the controversy gained momentum and led to heated debates about workplace policies and religious freedom.
Lenskart Controversy: CEO Peyush Bansal Issues Clarifications
As criticism intensified, Lenskart founder and CEO Peyush Bansal stepped in to respond publicly. In his first clarification, he dismissed the viral document as inaccurate and outdated. He said, 'Our policy has no restrictions on any form of religious expression, including bindi and tilak.'
Later, he issued another statement explaining that the viral file was an old internal training document and not an official HR policy. He also admitted that the line about restricting bindi and tilak was incorrect and should never have appeared in the document.
Despite these explanations, many users continued to question why such language existed in the first place and whether it had affected employees earlier.
Lenskart Controversy: Why Boycott Calls Against Lenskart Increased?
Even after the clarifications, public anger did not fade. Instead, boycott calls gained momentum on social media platforms.
Some individuals shared videos of themselves destroying their eyewear or discarding products in protest. Others demanded a public apology from the company, accusing it of disrespecting religious practices.
Journalists and activists also raised concerns about credibility and consistency in the company's explanations. Several voices questioned whether the outdated document had been used recently in workplace evaluations.
These reactions kept the controversy alive for days and pushed the company to take further action.
Lenskart Controversy: Lenskart Issues Apology and Releases New Style Guide
Facing growing pressure, Lenskart issued an official apology and released an updated in-store style guide.
In its statement, the company emphasised that all religious and cultural symbols are welcome in its workplace. The company wrote, 'These guidelines explicitly and unambiguously welcome every symbol of faith and culture our team members carry - bindi, tilak, sindoor, kalawa, mangalsutra, kada, hijab, turban, and more… If any version of our workplace communication caused hurt or made any of our team members feel that their faith was unwelcome here, we are deeply sorry. That is not who Lenskart is, and it is not who we will ever be.'
The company also made its updated guidelines public to improve transparency and restore customer trust.
Lenskart Controversy: Why This Lenskart Controversy Matters?
The Lenskart dress code issue highlights how workplace policies can quickly become public controversies in the age of social media. A single leaked document triggered debates about religious expression, workplace equality, and corporate accountability.
While the company has issued clarifications and revised its policy, public discussions continue about fairness, transparency, and cultural sensitivity in corporate environments.
For now, the controversy remains a major example of how brand reputation can be affected by internal communication errors and public perception.