A controversy erupted around eyewear company Lenskart after a purported internal dress code document went viral on social media, triggering allegations of religious discrimination. The document suggested restrictions on traditional Hindu symbols such as bindi and tilak, while permitting the wearing of hijab under specified conditions.
Viral document sparks backlash
The document, widely shared online, outlined grooming guidelines for store employees. It stated that bindis and tilaks were “not allowed,” and advised that sindoor, if worn, should be minimal. It also reportedly restricted religious threads such as kalawa.
At the same time, the document permitted employees to wear black-coloured hijabs or turbans, with conditions on their style and visibility of branding. It also specified that burkhas were not allowed in stores.
The apparent disparity in guidelines drew sharp criticism on social media, with several users questioning the company’s stance on religious expression. Author and activist Shefali Vaidya publicly asked the company to clarify why certain religious symbols were restricted while others were permitted.
So I confirmed, this is genuine. This is what @peyushbansal tells his employees, hijab is okay, but bindi/tilak/Kalawa is not, for @Lenskart_com, a company that exists in Hindu majority Bharat, where most of the employees and consumers are Hindu! What do you say to this? This is… https://t.co/jQ2EPdWPJM pic.twitter.com/SWfOajOjpo
— Shefali Vaidya. 🇮🇳 (@ShefVaidya) April 15, 2026
Peyush Bansal issues clarification
Responding to the controversy, Peyush Bansal, founder and CEO of Lenskart, stated that the viral document did not reflect the company’s current policies.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Bansal said the document was “inaccurate” and represented an outdated internal training note rather than an official HR policy. He emphasised that Lenskart does not impose restrictions on any form of religious expression.
Hi, all. I’ve been seeing an inaccurate policy document going viral about Lenskart.
I want to speak directly that this document does not reflect our present guidelines.
Our policy has no restrictions on any form of religious expression, including bindi and tilak, and we…
— Peyush Bansal (@peyushbansal) April 15, 2026
“Our policy has no restrictions on any form of religious expression, including bindi and tilak,” Bansal said, adding that the company’s grooming guidelines have evolved over time.
Approximately 12 hours later, Bansal issued a second clarification, acknowledging that the document contained “an incorrect line” regarding bindi and tilak. He said the issue had been identified earlier and the document was removed.
Taking responsibility, Bansal stated, “This should never have been written… I should have caught this earlier.”
Social media reactions persist
Despite the clarification, several users remained unconvinced, claiming that the document was recent and demanding that the company make its current policy public. Critics questioned whether earlier versions of the policy reflected a bias and sought greater transparency from the company.
Company background and growth
Lenskart, founded in 2010, is a major player in India’s eyewear market, known for its vertically integrated business model that cuts costs by manufacturing its own frames and lenses. The company achieved unicorn status in 2019 and is reportedly preparing for an initial public offering (IPO).