The dispute escalates after a video shows a protest involving a BJP Minority Morcha leader over alleged restrictions on Hindu symbols
MUMBAI — A controversy has emerged at a Mumbai store of Lenskart eyewear company after allegations surfaced regarding restrictions on religious symbols in the workplace, leading to protests and a viral video that has sparked political and social debate.
The incident reportedly involved a visit by BJP Minority Morcha leader Nazia Ilahi and a group of supporters to the, where they raised objections over alleged internal policies related to religious symbols.
The group accused the company of allowing certain religious practices while restricting others. During the protest, some activists entered the store and applied tilak and tied sacred threads (kalava) on employees, raising slogans inside the outlet.
A video circulating on social media shows Nazia Ilahi questioning a staff member. She is heard asking, “Is tilak being stopped because your name is Mohsin Khan?” The video has intensified the public discussion around the issue.
Outside the store, she said, “This is a Hindu nation. A boycott of Lenskart will continue until an apology is issued by the management.”
Employees, however, have presented mixed claims. One staff member alleged that earlier training materials suggested restrictions on wearing tilak and kalava, and even discouraged wearing certain traditional symbols such as a mangal sutra, for married women.
At the same time, internal human resources policy reportedly does not include any such restrictions. Company officials have stated that the training documents were outdated and not reflective of the current guidelines.
Store manager Mohsin Khan was seen in the video interacting with employees and applying tilak himself, stating that there should be no hesitation in expressing religious identity at work.
Following the controversy, CEO Piyush Bansal issued a clarification, stating that the circulated document was outdated and does not represent current company policy.
He said the company supports all forms of religious and cultural expression in the workplace. “Our updated guidelines clearly allow symbols such as tilak, bindi, hijab, and turban across all stores,” he said.
The company also released a revised in-store style and conduct guideline confirming that employees are free to wear religious and cultural symbols.
According to the company, the confusion began after an internal training document surfaced online, leading to allegations of bias. This was followed by public criticism and calls for a boycott on social media.
The matter has now evolved into a broader debate on workplace inclusivity and the interpretation of internal corporate policies.
While protests continue outside some outlets, the company maintains that there is no restriction on religious identity and that corrective steps have already been taken.
The incident highlights how internal policy documents, when taken out of context, can escalate into wider public controversies involving identity, workplace culture, and corporate communication.
