Lenskart Apologises, Releases New 'In-Store Style Guide' Welcoming All Religious Symbols After Backlash | What Changed

Lenskart Dress Code Controversy: Following widespread backlash over a purported internal grooming document, eyewear retailer Lenskart, on Saturday, issued a public apology and introduced a standardised 'In-Store Style Guide'. The updated style guide allows employees to wear religious and cultural symbols at work.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Lenskart said that it is making its updated guidelines public and transparent to address the concerns of its customers and community.

"We have heard you. Clearly and openly. Over the past few days, our community and customers have spoken - and we have listened. Today, we are standardising our In-Store Style Guide and sharing it publicly and transparently," the company wrote.

ALSO READ: Did Air India Grooming Guidelines Mention 'No Bindi, No Tilak'? Airline Reacts To Viral Claims On Internet

The Updated Style Guide: What Changed?

The revised style guide now 'explicitly and unambiguously’ welcomes all symbols of faith worn by team members, including the bindi, tilak, sindoor, kalawa, mangalsutra, kada, hijab, and turban.

"If any version of our workplace communication caused hurt or made any of our team members feel that their faith was unwelcome here, we are deeply sorry. That is not who Lenskart is, and it is not who we will ever be," the company added.

What Was The Lenskart Row?

This comes after a controversy that erupted earlier this week when a document, allegedly Lenskart's employee grooming policy, circulated widely on social media. Netizens pointed out that the policy restricted employees from wearing certain religious markers, particularly the bindi and tilak.

These claims led to widespread online criticism, with some users even calling for a boycott.

ALSO READ: Lenskart Dress Code Controversy: Peyush Bansal Calls 'No Bindi, Tilak But Hijab' Policy Outdated After Online Row

Lenskart Founder Issues Clarification

Before the latest announcement, Lenskart founder Peyush Bansal had already addressed the issue, clarifying that the viral document was an "outdated version" and did not reflect the company's current stance.

"I want to speak directly that this document does not reflect our present guidelines. Our policy has no restrictions on any form of religious expression, including bindi and tilak," Bansal had stated, while apologising for the confusion and concern the situation had caused.

(With Inputs From PTI)