India, April 16 -- Lenskart founder Peyush Bansal has dismissed allegations that the company's current style guide allows employees to wear a hijab, but not a bindi, tilak or a kalawa. The "Lenskart Staff Uniform and Grooming Guide", which began circulating online yesterday, sparked a row over alleged religious discrimination, prompting Bansal to issue a clarification.

The style guide purportedly issued by Lenskart stipulated that its store employees are allowed to wear a black-coloured hijab (a headscarf worn by many Muslim women) during their shift. Black turbans are also allowed.

However, the same guide banned bindis and tilak for employees. "Religious tikka/tilakand Bindi/Sticker is not allowed," it instructed.

A bindi is typically...