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Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane on Wednesday called for the establishment of a uniform dress code in corporate spaces following the controversy surrounding Lenskart's dress code policy.
Drawing a parallel to educational institutions, Rane stated that just as there are regulations regarding hijab and burqa permissions in schools and colleges, similar restrictions should apply in the corporate sector to maintain fairness in the office. He emphasised that such regulations must not be applied selectively. "We too believe in God. But why should corporate sectors permit the hijab and burqa, while the tilak is not allowed? If one religion's practices are restricted, then others should be treated equally. In schools and colleges, there has been debate about hijab and burqa permissions. Likewise, in corporate spaces, these should also be banned to maintain fairness. It must not apply selectively," Rane told reporters. Rane's remarks came after Lenskart's internal dress code guidelines went viral on social media, sparking a controversy. Amid a row over the eyewear retailer not allowing bindi and tilak for its in-store employees, Lenskart has issued a standardised style guide, saying that it welcomes every symbol of faith and culture. The Lenskart team also apologised in case workplace communication affected its team members' faith. "If any version of our workplace communication caused hurt or made any of our team members feel that their faith was unwelcome here, we are deeply sorry. That is not who Lenskart is, and it is not who we will ever be. We make a commitment today - not just in words, but in the document we are publishing - that every policy, every training material, and every communication that carries the Lenskart name will reflect these values." On April 16, Founder and CEO Peyush Bansal clarified that an outdated internal training document was making rounds on the internet, and the "incorrect" policy regarding bindi and tilak was removed in February 2026. Taking responsibility for the lapse, Bansal reiterated that Lenskart does not restrict any respectful religious expression. (ANI)
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