Bageshwar Baba Dhirendra Shastri Attacks Lenskart Over ‘Tilak Ban’: ‘Move Company to Lahore’

‘Nakkata, Open Your Firm in Pakistan’

Heated Exchange in Prayagraj

Bageshwar Dham head Pandit Dhirendra Shastri launched a sharp attack on eyewear major Lenskart during a Hanuman Katha here, daring the company to shift its operations to Lahore if it cannot respect Hindu religious symbols. The fiery sermon on Tuesday drew massive applause from devotees.

‘Don’t Mess with Sanatan’

Shastri targeted the company’s alleged dress code policy that reportedly restricts employees from wearing tilak, sindoor, or mangalsutra. “Ek company hai Lenskart. Usne bola – no tilak, no mangalsutra, no sindoor,” he said. “Nakkata, tu apni company Lahore khol le. Bharat mein kyun mar raha hai?”

The priest warned that attacking the mangalsutra today would lead to attacks on the entire Sanatan Dharma tomorrow. “Aaj unhonne mangalsutra par ungli uthayi, kal woh tumhari Geeta-Ramayan par uthayenge,” he added.

What Sparked the Row

The controversy erupted after a purported policy document went viral on social media. It claimed Lenskart barred employees from wearing bindi, tilak, and kalava while allowing hijab and pagri under certain conditions. Activist Shefali Vaidya shared screenshots on X, questioning the discrepancy.

This quickly became a flashpoint. Hindu outfits accused the company of practising religious discrimination under the garb of workplace rules. The issue gained traction as a Public Interest Story, dominating national debates.

 Company’s Clarification Rejected

Amid growing backlash, Lenskart CEO Piyush Bansal issued a statement asserting that the company respects all faiths. He maintained employees have full freedom to wear religious symbols. However, the clarification has failed to pacify critics.

Protesting organisations have rejected the statement outright. They continue to demand a written apology and a rollback of the alleged policy. Agitations outside Lenskart showrooms have intensified.

 Protests Spread to Showrooms

In Bhopal’s New Market area, workers of the Hindu Utasav Samiti gheraoed a Lenskart outlet. Protesters applied tilak on employees and tied kalava while chanting mantras. “Sanatan ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan,” they declared.

Similar protests are now being planned in other cities. As per Latest News Today, more demonstrations are expected in the coming days across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

 What Happens Next

Legal experts suggest the matter could reach the courts if the policy is proven discriminatory. Meanwhile, political reactions are pouring in. Some ruling party leaders have backed Shastri’s stance, calling for a national debate on workplace religious freedom.

For now, Lenskart finds itself at the centre of a storm. As an India News Update, this episode highlights rising tensions around religious expression in corporate India. The coming week will determine whether the company revisits its policy or faces sustained protests. According to officials familiar with the matter, no formal complaint has been filed yet, but pressure is mounting from multiple quarters.