Eyewear giant Lenskart has officially released an updated style guide for its in-store employees on Sunday, April 19, 2026, following a week of intense social media backlash.
The controversy erupted after a leaked internal document appeared to show a policy that permitted hijabs and turbans but strictly prohibited the use of bindis, tilaks, and religious threads like kalawas. The perceived religious bias sparked a massive online uproar, leading to calls for boycotts and prompting a swift intervention from founder and CEO Peyush Bansal.
In a statement aimed at total transparency, Lenskart disowned the controversial document, labeling it an “older version” that did not accurately represent the company’s values.
The newly standardized guide explicitly welcomes all symbols of faith and culture, including bindi, tilak, sindoor, kalawa, mangalsutra, kada, and hijab, stating that these are not mere exceptions but central to the identity of its workforce. Lenskart emphasized its roots by stating, “Lenskart was built in Bharat, by Indians, for Indians,” asserting that no team member will ever be asked to leave their beliefs at the door.
Despite the release of the updated guidelines and an apology for the “confusion” caused, the internet remains divided. While some have praised the company’s quick pivot and transparency, others on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have accused the retailer of a “too little, too late” approach.
Critics have pointed out a perceived lack of a direct admission of fault for the initial policy’s existence, with some users demanding a more formal apology from the leadership for what they termed a “big mistake.”