Eyewear retailer Lenskart has released a revised in-store style guide for its employees following days of intense public criticism and social media backlash over its previous grooming policy, which permitted hijabs and turbans while prohibiting visible Hindu religious symbols such as bindi, tilak, and kalawa.
The company, which operates over 2,400 stores across India, faced massive outrage after an internal document titled “Lenskart Staff Uniform and Grooming Guide” went viral earlier this week. The February 2026 version of the policy explicitly banned bindi and tilak, restricted kalawa (sacred thread) to just one day after a pooja, and limited sindoor to a minimal amount that did not fall on the forehead. In contrast, it allowed hijabs (preferably black) and turbans without similar restrictions, sparking accusations of selective religious discrimination and bias against Hindu employees.
Lenskart’s co-founder and CEO, Peyush Bansal, had earlier described the circulating document as an “outdated internal training document” that did not reflect the company’s current stance. He claimed that the restrictive clauses had been removed in previous revisions and that the policy in force till last month no longer represented the brand’s values. However, several current and former employees alleged that the old guidelines continued to be enforced through video audits and performance reviews, with Hindu symbols still attracting penalties.
We have heard you. Clearly and openly. Over the past few days, our community and customers have spoken – and we have listened.
— lenskart (@Lenskart_com) April 18, 2026
Today, we are standardizing our In-Store Style Guide and sharing it publicly and transparently: https://t.co/lC8KlLLUZm
These guidelines explicitly and…
In a detailed statement posted on X today, Lenskart announced the new standardised style guide, which it has made public for the first time. The company said that “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. Not as exceptions. As who we are.”
The statement added: “Lenskart was built in Bharat, by Indians, for Indians. Our 2,400+ stores are run by people who bring their beliefs, their traditions, their identity to work every day. That is not something we will ever ask anyone to leave at the door.”
The company issued an apology for any hurt feelings by its previous style guide. It said, “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.”
However, the company didn’t acknowledge any deliberate bias against Hindus in the previous policy. The fresh guidelines commit to applying the rules “fairly and consistently” and promise regular reviews of all training materials.
The new document is now available on the company’s official website. It now allows cultural or religious items like sacred threads, bangles, kalawa, mangalsutra, kada or any other, and religious, cultural or family marks such as bindi, tilak, sindoor or any other. The company now also allows body art, and markings that are not offensive, discriminatory, obscene, or unsafe.
Head coverings are allowed if they don’t interfere with duties or customer interaction. It further adds that “Additional coverage worn for personal, cultural, medical, or religious reasons (such as turban and hijab or any other)” are also allowed. However, casual headwear not consistent with a professional store environment is not allowed.
A note below the style guide says, “Lenskart respects and accommodates the cultural and personal practices of all employees. Any grooming guideline that may conflict with an employee’s personal or cultural practice should be escalated to the HR/PE team or the HR central grievance email ID for a reasonable accommodation discussion.”
