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Just days after the Lenskart dress code row, Air India is facing a backlash over its booklet that reportedly bans bindi, sindoor and tilak.
First Lenskart, now Air India: Viral cabin crew handbook with ‘No bindi, no sindoor’ policy sparks internet wrath
The dust had barely settled on the Lenskart grooming controversy — where founder Piyush Bansal had to apologize for an “outdated” policy banning Bindis and Tilak — when a new corporate storm hit the runway. This time, the spotlight is on Air India.
X user Pranav Mahajan shared several screenshots of what appears to be the Air India Cabin Crew Handbook. The pictures clearly show that traditional signs like Bindi, Sindoor, Tilak and Kalawa (religious thread) are not allowed during the service. The post quickly went viral, with many wondering why a national airline would erase the cultural identity of its employees.
While Air India had earlier said that its grooming guidelines were designed to meet “international standards” after its takeover by the Tata group, people online argue that these standards are too biased towards the West.
The platform has become a hotbed of heated opinions, with users comparing global airline policies and calling for systemic change.
“The best is to boycott people/organizations who disrespect Hindu faith even slightly. It is very difficult for them to understand and change their mind due to ego and hatred. Let their stock prices collapse…Tit-in-Tit is the only way…” wrote one user. Many shared how most companies have similar rules. “These rules are typical for any company. Some announce them and others do not. That is why the government must have a framework for companies in India that ensures the protection of the Hindu religion.”
Some users also argued that local airlines of other religious countries allow clothing according to their culture. “🇵🇰 PIA Pakistan, Qatar Airways 🇶🇦, Saudi Airlines 🇸🇦 All Muslim countries have allowed hijab for air hostesses and majority wear it. Whereas in India only Hindus are ashamed of their Hinduism. Time for change now. No more Hinduphobia,” a user shared on X.
Many people also highlighted how Hindus discriminate against religious signs unlike other religions. “The booklet does not mention religious dress or religious signs for non-Hindus. If a Muslim employee is allowed to wear a hijab or a Sikh man is allowed to wear a turban, does that not reveal their religious affiliation? Who decided that bindi, tilak or mangalsutra are optional for Hindus?”
“Aviation policies are heavily influenced by Western airline standards, where rings are the default marital symbol, but mangalsutras are an optional Hindu accessory. This bias alone quietly shapes what is allowed. People love this bias, and you can’t deny it.”
The timing couldn’t be worse. Earlier this week, eyewear giant Lenskart faced a massive boycott call after a similar internal “style guide” was leaked. Lenskart claimed that the document was an old draft and that they “did not have any restrictions on religious expression.”
April 18, 2026 at 3:34 PM IST
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