The incident at the Croma store in Mumbai’s Bhandup West on June 7, 2025, during Eid al-Adha, involved a senior employee, Rashid, allegedly asking a worker, Jitesh Sharma

The incident at the Croma store in Mumbai’s Bhandup West on June 7, 2025, during Eid al-Adha, involved a senior employee, Rashid, allegedly asking a worker, Jitesh Sharma, to remove his tilak—a traditional Hindu forehead mark with spiritual significance, as noted in a 2023 Times of India article linking it to enhanced focus via the Agnya Chakra—sparking outrage and a protest by right-wing activists.

This event highlights a rare clash of cultural practices in India’s retail sector, where Mumbai’s cosmopolitan retail culture, as detailed in a 2025 Roadbook.com guide, typically blends diverse traditions; the incident’s escalation suggests underlying tensions, with no police complaint filed yet, per Free Press Journal reports.

The apology from the senior employee and lack of formal action reflect a cautious response, contrasting with studies like a 2021 Journal of Applied Psychology paper showing workplace cultural conflicts can reduce employee morale by 15% unless addressed through mediation, indicating potential long-term impact on store dynamics.