Turning religious symbols into fashion accessories and as props for pop culture and entertainment has been long controversial.
Madonna shocked many when she first used a burning cross in her video Like a Prayer.
That was back in 1989.
Fast forward to 2014 and Selena Gomez is feeling the heat for wearing a bindi as a fashion accessory, reports Examiner.com.
The bright red dot is usually worn in the middle of the forehead as a religious symbol to protect against demons or bad luck. Its also said to maintain energy and strengthen concentration.
Gomez was spotted wearing the bindi at a gas station, of all places.
She previously wore it at the 2013 MTV Movie Awards and 2013 Billboard Music Awards, as well as during performances on Ellen and Dancing with the Stars.
Rajan Zed, of the Universal Society of Hinduism, has previously asked Gomez to apologize.
“The Bindi on the forehead is an ancient tradition in Hinduism…It is not meant to be thrown around loosely for seductive effects or as a fashion accessory aiming at mercantile greed.”
You can read Gomez’ response in Examiner.com
You can see Gomez’ performance at the 2013 MTV Movie Awards below.
