After Lenskart and Air India, alleged Indigo Airlines grooming policy banning Sindoor, Mangalsutra, etc goes viral, company says ‘incorrect and fabricated’

(Image via Indigo's X handle)

Days after outrage erupted against Lenskart over a viral company document that restricted Hindu religious symbols like Tilak, Kalava, Bindis, etc, IndiGo Airlines has courted controversy for similar reasons. As per a viral grooming policy document, Indigo Airlines prohibits its employees from wearing Tilak, Kalava, Sindoor, Mangalsutra and other Hindu religious symbols, while placing no such restriction on Hijab, etc.

Several social media users questioned the airline’s alleged hypocrisy. The purported grooming policy documents titled “Female Poise.pdf” and “Male Poise.pdf” triggered a backlash on social media. However, Indigo Airlines is reported to have issued a statement on 24th April, calling the viral grooming policy documents “incorrect and fabricated”.

“IndiGo would like to clarify that the documents circulating on social media regarding our grooming policy are incorrect. We request everyone to exercise caution and refrain from sharing unverified or fabricated documents. IndiGo remains firmly committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. The safety and well-being of our crew, customers, and employees continue to be our highest priority,” the airlines said.

The controversy erupted just days after a Lenskart employee grooming policy document that restricted staff from wearing Hindu religious symbols went viral online. The document stated that Lenskart employees are prohibited from wearing sacred threads (kalava) and bindis (bindis), while they may wear hijabs and Sikh turbans. The document also stated that if someone applies vermilion, they should apply it sparingly and should not spread it across the forehead.

While Indigo quickly distanced itself from the viral grooming policy document attributed to it, Lenskart CEO Peyush Bansal initially attempted to dismiss their policy document as ‘inaccurate’ only to later admit that it was accurate, though “outdated”.

Recently, Air India has also faced a backlash over a similar alleged grooming policy bias against Hindus.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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