Lenskart, the prominent eyewear retailer, has introduced a new, comprehensive in-store style guide that explicitly permits employees to wear religious and cultural markers such as bindis, tilaks, hijabs, and turbans. The move, announced on April 18, 2026, aims to reinforce inclusivity and standardize guidelines across its more than 2,400 stores after a recent controversy.
New Policy Embraces Cultural Markers
The updated guide clarifies that personal beliefs and cultural markers are fully compatible with Lenskart's workplace standards. It explicitly lists items like bindi, tilak, sindoor, mangalsutra, kada, kalawa, hijab, and turban as acceptable, emphasizing these are not exceptions but natural reflections of employee identities.
The company stated that it will not ask staff to leave their identity "at the door," positioning the new guide as a formal commitment to that principle. Lenskart reiterated its identity as a brand "built in Bharat, by Indians, for Indians," asserting that employees should bring their traditions and beliefs to work every day.
Response to Prior Backlash
The company faced significant public backlash following the viral circulation of an "outdated" grooming document that appeared to restrict certain religious symbols while permitting others. Another version, reportedly from February 2026, also seemed to bar visible sindoor and kalawa threads.
Responding to the criticism, Lenskart founder Peyush Bansal acknowledged the issue, attributing it to a "language lapse" in earlier policy wording and clarifying the company's commitment to unrestricted religious expression. The company publicly stated, "We have heard you. Clearly and openly," expressing regret for any previous communication that caused confusion or hurt.
Key Aspects of the Updated Guidelines
- No restrictions on religious symbols: Employees are free to wear visible markers of faith and tradition as part of their daily attire.
- Clarity in grooming language: Vague or exclusionary wording from earlier documents has been removed to prevent misinterpretation.
- Consistency across locations: The standardized guide will apply uniformly across all stores.
- Alignment in training and communication: All internal training materials and store-level communications will now reflect the same inclusive principles.
- Ongoing policy review: Lenskart has committed to regularly revisiting its guidelines to ensure they remain aligned with its values and employee feedback.