Can Lenskart Allow Hijab but Not Bindi and Kalava?
Lenskart faced backlash after a grooming policy controversy, with Peyush Bansal clarifying it was an old document but criticism continued.
A fresh religious controversy has emerged involving Lenskart, led by Peyush Bansal, shortly after discussions around the TCS Nashik case.
The issue began after a 23-page internal document titled “Lenskart Staff Uniform and Grooming Guide” surfaced online. The document reportedly stated that employees were not allowed to wear religious items like kalava and bindi, while allowing black hijabs and turbans. It also mentioned that sindoor, if worn, should be applied lightly.
Writer Shefali Vaidya shared screenshots of the document on social media platform X, questioning the policy and highlighting what she described as unequal treatment of religious symbols.
Her post triggered strong reactions online, with many users criticising the company and calling the policy “double standards.” Some even called for a boycott, while others questioned the logic behind restricting certain symbols in a retail environment.
In response, Peyush Bansal stated that the document being circulated does not reflect the company’s current policies. He clarified that Lenskart does not restrict religious expression and that employees are free to follow their cultural practices. He also apologised for the confusion and said that policies are regularly updated.
However, the clarification did not calm the situation. Shefali Vaidya responded again, questioning the explanation and asking the company to share its current guidelines, pointing out that the document was dated February 2026.
Following continued backlash, Bansal issued another statement, saying the document was an old internal training material and not an official HR policy. He admitted that he should have addressed the issue earlier and acknowledged his mistake.
