Indigo Denies Claims of Restricting Sindoor and Tilak Use, Warns Against Misleading Online Documents

IndiGo Denies Viral Grooming Policy Documents as Authentic

IndiGo, India's largest airline, has issued a formal statement denying the authenticity of documents circulating on social media regarding the airline's grooming policy. The controversy erupted after an X user shared screenshots of what appear to be IndiGo's grooming handbooks, which explicitly banned items like tilak, sindoor, mangalsutra, and kalawa, while allowing other religious markers such as hijab and turban.

According to a company spokesperson, the documents are "incorrect" and the airline requests everyone to exercise caution and refrain from sharing unverified or fabricated documents. IndiGo assured that its policies, especially for cabin crew and pilots, are designed in-line with "global best practices" and with the primary objective of ensuring safety of operations and well-being of crew and customers onboard.

The airline also reiterated its commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace, stating that the safety and well-being of its crew, customers, and employees continue to be its highest priority. This statement comes amidst a broader debate on workplace dress codes, sparked by a viral "in-store style guide" from Lenskart earlier this month.

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Lenskart's Revamped Policy

Lenskart's controversy began when a viral "in-store style guide" was shared online, allegedly restricting bindis, tilaks, and kalawas while allowing hijabs and turbans. Lenskart's CEO, Peyush Bansal, later apologized for the backlash, calling the document an "outdated training note." In response, the company rolled out a revised policy that "explicitly and unambiguously" welcomes all symbols of faith.

The revised policy states that Lenskart's 2400+ stores are run by people who bring their beliefs, traditions, and identity to work every day, and that the company will never ask anyone to leave these aspects at the door. Bansal had previously clarified that the viral document contained an incorrect line about bindi/tilak that should never have been written and does not reflect the company's values or actual practice.

Air India Faces Similar Scrutiny

Read also: Indigo Denies Claims of Banning Sindoor, Tilak, Calls Reports Fabricated

IndiGo is not the only airline facing scrutiny over viral dress-code documents. Air India has also come under the spotlight after alleged internal grooming guidelines surfaced online, drawing criticism for reportedly objecting to items such as sindoor, choora, mangalsutra, and more. The viral cabin crew handbook of Air India reportedly prohibits staff from wearing items like tikkas, sindoor of any colour on the forehead, and wedding choora.

The guidelines also specify strict rules regarding accessories and jewellery with the uniform, including only plain white or yellow gold bangles without any design or stones being permitted.