The controversy surrounding eyewear brand Lenskart has now reached Himachal Pradesh’s capital, as protests broke out in Shimla over alleged restrictions on religious expression. On Thursday, members of Hindu organisations gathered at a showroom in the Sanjauli area, where they raised slogans and staged a symbolic protest inside the premises.
During the demonstration, activists recited the Hanuman Chalisa and applied tilak on the foreheads of employees while also tying ‘kalava’ (sacred thread) on their wrists. The protest remained largely peaceful but created a tense atmosphere in the locality for some time.
The controversy centres around claims that employees at the showroom were allegedly not allowed to wear religious symbols such as tilak. Vijay Sharma, a representative of one of the protesting groups, accused the showroom management of enforcing a policy that discourages Hindu employees from displaying their religious identity. He further alleged that while tilak was reportedly discouraged, there were no similar restrictions on wearing a burqa, raising questions about equal treatment.
Protesters argued that workplaces should respect all religions equally and allow employees the freedom to express their faith without discrimination. They demanded that the showroom management clarify its policy and ensure that no employee is restricted from following their religious practices.
The issue is not limited to Shimla alone. The controversy first surfaced in Mumbai, where similar allegations were made regarding restrictions on tilak. The matter gained attention after BJP Minority Morcha leader Nazia Elahi Khan visited a showroom and applied tilak and tied kalava to employees, highlighting what she described as unequal rules.
While no official statement has yet been issued by the company regarding the allegations in Shimla, the incident has added fuel to an already sensitive debate around workplace policies and religious freedom in India.
