Eyewear retailer Lenskart has issued a public apology and rolled out a revised “In‑Store Style Guide” after a viral grooming document sparked a nationwide backlash over alleged restrictions on religious symbols such as bindi and tilak.
What Triggered the Row
An internal‑looking grooming policy, which seemed to discourage certain visible religious markers while allowing others, went viral on social media, leading to accusations of religious bias and calls for a boycott. The controversy hit quickly, with critics arguing that the norms alienated employees from particular communities and that a major retail chain was trying to police faith‑based appearance in the workplace.
Company’s Response and Apology
In response, founder Peyush Bansal clarified that the circulated document was an “outdated version” and did not reflect Lenskart’s current stance, and apologised for the confusion and hurt it caused. The company explicitly stated that existing guidelines do not restrict any form of religious expression, including bindi, tilak, sindoor, hijab, turban, mangalsutra, kada, and similar symbols.
The New In‑Store Style Guide
The updated guide, now standardised across Lenskart’s 2,400‑plus outlets, lays down clear rules on uniforms, grooming, and accessories while emphasising inclusivity. Under the revised norms, employees are allowed to wear religious and cultural symbols as “who we are,” not as exceptions, while still maintaining a neat, professional look with company‑branded T‑shirts, plain dark‑blue jeans, and dark, closed footwear.
By unambiguously welcoming every visible faith and cultural marker, Lenskart aims to project a more inclusive, employee‑centric workplace culture, turning the episode into a policy reset rather than a simple PR correction.
