Glasses retailer company ‘Lenskart’ is at the center of a big controversy these days. It is alleged that the company had forbidden its employees from wearing bindi and tilak at the workplace, while allowing them to wear hijab. The issue gained momentum when members of Hindu organizations in Mumbai led by a Muslim BJP leader entered the showroom of Lenskart and protested. The protesters applied tilak to the employees, tied Kalava on their wrists and raised slogans.
BJP leader Nazia Ilahi took charge
BJP Minority Morcha leader Nazia Ilahi along with other workers reached the Lenskart store in Mumbai and asked sharp questions to the staff. During this, slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” were also raised inside the premises. Nazia Elahi asked the store’s floor manager Mohsin Khan questions about the alleged restrictions. In the viral video, he can be heard saying, “Is the tilak stopped because you are Mohsin Khan?”
“There is no shame in expressing religious identity”
Speaking to the media outside the store, Nazia Ilahi accused the management of promoting one religion over another. He said, “This is a Hindu nation. If the owners do not apologise, Lenskart will either be boycotted or all its outlets will be closed.” The situation became more dramatic when Nazia called the Hindu employees forward and applied tilak on their foreheads, saying that there should be “no shame” in expressing their religious identity.
Employees made serious allegations
A showroom employee claimed that during the company’s training, he was clearly told that wearing Tilak and Kalava was prohibited. The employee also alleged that female employees were not allowed to wear ‘mangalsutra’ even if they were married. After these claims, the anger of the workers present there flared up further. He demanded immediate closure of the outlet and not to reopen it until a thorough investigation is conducted into the matter.
CEO Piyush Bansal’s clarification and apology
Seeing the growing controversy, Lenskart CEO Piyush Bansal clarified the situation. He apologized, saying the document that went viral on social media was “incorrect” and did not reflect the company’s current guidelines. According to Bansal, it was an old training note which is no longer part of the HR policy. He clarified that the references related to Bindi and Tilak had already been removed.
Also read: ‘Employees allowed to wear bindi, tilak, turban’, Lenskart announces! New in-store style guide released
New ‘style guide’ released
The company later released a detailed ‘in-store style guide’. It clearly states that wearing all symbols of faith and culture such as bindi, tilak, hijab and turban is completely allowed inside the store. The company reiterated that they respect the religious sentiments of all their employees and welcome their diversity.