Amid the ongoing controversy over Lenskart's dress code, the eyewear retailer witnessed another row after BJP leader Nazia Elahi Khan entered one of its showrooms in Mumbai and applied tilak on employees. The incident comes amid allegations that the company had restricted certain forms of religious expression.
In a video circulating on social media, the BJP leader is seen confronting store staff, including a floor manager identified as Mohsin Khan, over claims that Hindu symbols such as tilak and bindi were discouraged. She is also seen directing those accompanying her to apply tilak on employees and tying sacred threads (kalawa) on their wrists while raising slogans.
On Monday, the protest escalated inside the store as Nazia Elahi Khan, who identifies herself as a BJP minority morcha leader, entered the Lenskart outlet in Mumbai with a camera crew and confronted the store manager over the alleged restrictions on religious symbols.
"Mohsin Khan ho, isliye band karvaya tilak? (You are Mohsin Khan. Is that why you stopped everyone from wearing tilak?)" she is heard asking in a confrontational tone.
Khan can also be heard asserting that there should be "no shame" in expressing religious identity and warning of a boycott if the company did not respond.
BJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan confronted staff at a Lenskart store in Mumbai over alleged discriminatory grooming policies.
— Megh Updates ?™ (@MeghUpdates) April 20, 2026
She was seen applying tilak to Hindu staff & raising “Jai Shri Ram” slogans. pic.twitter.com/JRiTFkH1bx
What triggered the confrontation?
The incident comes against the backdrop of a controversy over an alleged employee dress code at Lenskart that appeared to allow certain religious symbols while restricting others.
According to claims that surfaced online, the company's earlier style guide permitted items such as hijabs and turbans but barred bindis, tilaks and sacred threads. The issue gained traction after political commentator Shefali Vaidya flagged the alleged disparity on social media, triggering widespread debate and backlash.
Some employees also alleged during the row that they were instructed during training not to wear religious markers such as tilak or kalawa, further fuelling the controversy.
Company response and updated policy
Amid mounting criticism, Lenskart issued a clarification stating that the document in question was outdated and did not reflect its current policies. Founder and CEO Peyush Bansal said the guidelines were no longer in use.
The company later released a revised in-store style guide explicitly allowing a wide range of religious and cultural symbols, including bindi, tilak, sindoor, kalawa, mangalsutra, kada, hijab and turban. It also expressed regret for any confusion caused and emphasised that employees are free to express their faith at work.
From online row to on-ground protest
The controversy began earlier in April when the alleged grooming guide surfaced online, leading to accusations of religious bias. Despite the company's clarification and updated policy, the debate continued, with some social media users questioning the delay in issuing a clear and formal apology.
