(Image source from: ndtv.com)
An internal memo from the eyewear brand Lenskart, which outlines what employees should wear to the office, has caused a big uproar after people pointed out that it disapproved of wearing bindi and tilak but accepted hijab. As the situation escalated, Peyush Bansal, the founder and CEO of Lenskart, stated that the document was "not correct" and did not match the company's "current policies. "
About 12 hours later, Bansal mentioned in another post on X that the widely shared document was an old training material. He explained that it was not the company's HR policy and acknowledged that it incorrectly stated bindi/tilak, which had been removed earlier. Lenskart plays a significant role in the eyewear market and provides products at competitive prices since it creates its own frames and lenses, eliminating middlemen to cut down expenses. The startup reached unicorn status in 2019 and is now seen as a "soonicorn," with a valuation of approximately $5.6 billion. The dress code guidelines from Lenskart were posted on social media and led to substantial criticism of the company.
Regarding sindoor, which is a sign for married Hindu women, the document states, "If sindoor is worn, it should be applied lightly and should not cover the forehead. It states that "bindi is not permitted. "
It allows hijab but also specifies how the headscarves for Muslim women should appear. "If wearing [a] hijab/turban, it must be black. The hijab should cover the chest moderately and must not obstruct the logo," says the dress code guidelines that were circulated online. "Wearing a burkha in the store is prohibited. "
"Bindi/clutcher is not allowed," declares the document. Concerning the kalawa, it mentions that "religious threads/wristbands should be removed. " "Hi Peyush Bansal, could you please explain why hijab is acceptable but bindi/kalawa is not at Lenskart? " author and activist Shefali Vaidya posted on X, tagging the founder of Lenskart.
However, Peyush Bansal's response indicates that Lenskart did have such a grooming guideline previously. "I want to directly state that this document does not reflect our current standards. . . Our grooming policies have developed over time, and outdated guidelines do not portray who we are today. We apologize for any confusion and worry this situation has created," Bansal explained on X. He also mentioned that Lenskart imposes "no limitations on any form of religious expression, including bindi and tilak. " He added that the company regularly reviews its guidelines.
"We have many team members throughout Bharat who proudly show their faith and culture every day at our stores. They are Lenskart," Bansal stated, who is also a well-known judge on the business reality show, Shark Tank India. The negative reactions prompted Bansal to give another explanation 12 hours after his initial post on X regarding the issue. "The information going around is an old internal training document. It is not a human resources policy," he explained, trying to "provide more clarification" on his earlier message. "However, it included a wrong statement about bindi/tilak that should never have been included and does not align with our beliefs or actual practices," he noted, adding that it was "found" on February 17 and "quickly removed. " As the founder and CEO, Bansal accepted responsibility for the "mistake," admitting, "But I should have noticed this sooner. " The debate surrounding Lenskart arises during the company’s strong performance after its IPO. Its shares recently reached Rs 547. Lenskart's earnings increased nearly 70 times in the December quarter. The net profit surged to Rs 1.31 billion from just Rs 18.5 million a year prior, while revenue grew by 38.8% to Rs 23.08 billion, surpassing a 28% rise in costs, according to news agency Reuters in February.
