Nidhi Mittal, wife of Lenskart CEO Peyush Bansal, is currently facing significant backlash online after several of her old social media posts resurfaced. These posts, dating back to 2013-2015, show Mittal expressing support for the Aam Aadmi Party and making critical comments about the Bharatiya Janata Party and certain Hindu organizations. Screenshots of her posts, which included hashtags like #vote4mufflerman, have been widely circulated on X (formerly Twitter), leading to her account becoming inaccessible amidst mounting criticism.
Lenskart's Grooming Policy Sparks Wider Controversy
The renewed attention on Nidhi Mittal coincides with an ongoing and larger controversy surrounding Lenskart's internal "Staff Uniform and Grooming Guide." A 23-page document, dated February 2, 2026, was leaked online, drawing widespread criticism for its alleged restrictions on religious expression in the workplace.
Initially, the document reportedly barred employees from wearing symbols such as bindis and sacred threads (kalava), while allowing hijabs and turbans only under specific conditions, including a mandatory black color. It also suggested that sindoor be applied "subtly," igniting public outrage over perceived religious insensitivity.
Company Revises Guidelines Amidst Pressure
Following the public outcry, Peyush Bansal initially dismissed the leaked document as "inaccurate." However, a Community Note on X challenged his assertion, highlighting the document's recent date and official branding. Subsequently, Bansal acknowledged the document's authenticity, describing it as an "outdated internal training document" rather than an active HR policy. He admitted that restrictions on bindi and tilak "should never have been written" and confirmed their internal removal as of February 17.
In response to escalating criticism, Lenskart has since released a revised and standardized in-store style guide. These updated guidelines explicitly permit employees to wear a wide range of religious and cultural symbols without restriction, including bindi, tilak, sindoor, mangalsutra, kada, kalawa, hijab, and turban. The company emphasized that these are not exceptions but integral parts of employees’ identities, reinforcing its commitment to inclusivity and ensuring personal beliefs and cultural expressions are fully compatible with its workplace standards.