Peyush Bansal, who leads Lenskart and is known from Shark Tank India, apologized after the company became involved in a controversy. It started when a screenshot of a purported internal grooming policy went viral on social media, sparking strong reactions.
The document, which has not been confirmed as genuine, appeared to list restrictions on visible religious symbols such as bindis, tilaks, burqas, turbans, and hijabs. It also included rules about tattoos, accessories, and appearance. Since it looked like an official manual, many people thought it was part of Lenskart’s employee handbook.
As online criticism increased, Bansal responded to the situation. He explained that the document being shared does not match Lenskart’s current policies. He said the company does not restrict religious expression, including wearing cultural or religious symbols. He also mentioned that the policy has changed over time and that older versions no longer reflect the company’s current practices.
Earlier, Bansal admitted there was a problem with the wording in an older version of the grooming policy. He said the language did not align with the company’s values and that the issue was resolved internally before it became public. He took responsibility and said he should have noticed the problem sooner.
Even after the clarification, some people were not satisfied. Many on social media questioned the company’s transparency and asked for the latest policy to be shared publicly. Others were disappointed that these guidelines ever existed and called for better communication from Lenskart.
This situation shows how fast internal policies can become public debates, especially on sensitive topics like identity and religion. For a company with a large presence in India, it is important to keep trust and be clear with the public.
Lenskart said that employees across India are free to express their culture and faith at work. The company also promised to keep reviewing its policies to ensure they align with its values and employees’ expectations.
For now, the main question is how Lenskart will move forward. It is not just about clarifying its position, but also about ensuring its actions and communication reflect the inclusivity it promises.
