Air India has clarified its stance on cabin crew grooming guidelines after an internal document, widely shared online, caused public outrage for allegedly prohibiting traditional Indian adornments like bindis and sindoor.
Outdated Manual Caused Confusion, Says Air India
An Air India spokesperson confirmed that the document circulating online was an "outdated manual" and does not reflect the airline's current policy. The airline explicitly stated that its employees have the choice to wear a bindi.
The controversial handbook, which went viral, reportedly stated: "Tikkas, sindoor of any colour on the forehead is not permitted." While it allowed a 5mm bindi optionally with a saree, it specified that the bindi must not contain gold, silver, stones, or design, and liquid or fancy bindis were prohibited. It also noted that bindis were not permitted with the Indo-Western uniform.
Furthermore, the older guidelines reportedly restricted other accessories, stating, "Chains, necklace or any additional jewellery around the neck is not allowed." Religious items such as mangalsutra, taali, threads, and beads around the neck were also listed as impermissible.
Lenskart Faced Similar Backlash
The incident echoes a recent controversy involving eyewear retailer Lenskart, which faced similar criticism for a style guide that permitted hijabs but forbade bindis or kalawa for in-store employees. Lenskart's founder and CEO, Peyush Bansal, issued an apology, clarifying that the document was an outdated internal training guide that did not reflect the company's current values or practices. Lenskart subsequently updated its policy to explicitly allow "religious, cultural or family marks (such as bindi, tilak, sindoor or any other)."
Air India's clarification aims to reassure the public and its employees about its inclusive approach to cultural and religious expression, disowning the restrictive guidelines as a relic of an older policy that is no longer in effect.