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Bindi Controversy Has Hindu Group Condemning Selena-- Again

It's not envious Beliebers that are bashing Selena. Now, it's Hindus
Selena Gomez is catching heat from the Hindu group Universal Society of Hinduism yet again after the 20-year-old pop star wore a blingy bindi at her Billboard Music Awards performance Sunday. Gomez was chastised by the group last month for her "insensitive" bindi accessory on her Bollywood inspired "Come and Get It" performance at the MTV Movie Awards.


Rajan Zed, president of the enraged Hindu group, demanded that Gomez stop demeaning sacred Hindu symbols by wearing the religious accessory.

"Selena should apologize and then she should get acquainted with the basics of world religions," Zed said in a statement to WENN. "[The bindi] is not meant to be thrown around loosely for seductive effects or as a fashion accessory aiming at mercantile greed."

But for Selena it's not just a fun fashion statement; it's a way to connect with her music.

"I think ['Come and Get It'] has that Hindu, tribal feel and I wanted to translate that," Selena said in an interview with Elvis Duran on the Z100 morning show back in April. "I've been learning about my chakra, and bindis, and the culture ... It's beautiful."

Selena isn't the first star to wear a bindi as an accessory; Julia Roberts, Katy Perry, Madonna, Gwen Steffani, and Miley Cyrus have all worn the emblem at one point, according to E! News. And they're not exactly hard to come by. Online stores like Etsy and Vision of India sell thousands of decorative bindis -- no religious affiliations required.

What do you think? Should Selena apologize for her bindi-wearing ways -- or is this Hindu group overreacting? Sound off in the comments section below.
BY LINDSEY SIRERA | MAY 20, 2013 | SHARES
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