Lenskart’s Peyush Bansal admits language lapse in grooming policy; denies restricting religious symbols

Lenskart founder Peyush Bansal on Wednesday took to social media to deny that the company’s current policies restrict religious expression, after an inaccurate internal policy document began circulating online.

Bansal said the document does not reflect Lenskart’s present guidelines and clarified that employees are free to wear symbols such as bindis and tilak.

A screenshot of a Lenskart grooming policy that circulated online sparked the controversy. “An older version of our grooming policy had language that didn't reflect our values. When it came to my notice in Feb this year, we got it fixed immediately, much before this conversation. Lapse was in language, intent was never in question.


I should have caught this sooner. That's on me,” he said in a post that is now deleted.



According to social media posts, the document appeared to list restrictions on religious expressions such as bindis, tilak and burkhas, though it did mention rules around turbans and hijabs, along with tattoos, hairbands and caps.

In response to these posts, people slammed Lenskart, with some threatening to boycott the brand.

Our policy has no restrictions on any form of religious expression, including bindi and tilak, and we continue to review our guidelines regularly. We apologize for the confusion and concern this situation has caused,” Bansal wrote. “Any lapses in our language or policies have and will continue to be addressed,” he added.



Bansal said Lenskart employs thousands of people across India who “wear their faith and culture proudly every day” at its stores. He added that the company was built in India, by Indians, for Indians, and that every symbol and tradition carried by its employees is part of the organisation’s identity.