Selena Gomez Opts Out Of Bindi In New Music Video, Pleasing Hindu Leaders
Selena Gomez Hindi Controversy
After major backlash from a recent performance, Selena has left the bindi out of the "Come & Get It" music video. This move has won Gomez praise from Hindu leaders for abandoning her controversial use of a religious bindi symbol in the music video.
Selena Gomez, the 20-year old pop singer and actress, was recently criticized as "insensitive" for a recent performance of her new song, "Come & Get It."
At the MTV Movie Awards, Gomez wore a red dress and a bindi adorning her head. This move has caused a stir and has led to Gomez being cited as culturally insensitive for wearing a Hindu religious ornament during this performance.
Prior to Gomez's performance, she said her MTV costume would be "glam tribal" to match the vibe of the song.
At the time, the Hindu leaders at the Universal Society strongly wanted Gomez to apologize for wearing said religious adornment.
"The bindi on the forehead is an ancient tradition in Hinduism and has religious significance," Hindu statesman Rajan Zed told WENN according to The Huffington Post. "It is also sometimes referred to as the third eye and the flame, and it is an auspicious religious and spiritual symbol... It is not meant to be thrown around loosely for seductive effects or as a fashion accessory aiming at mercantile greed. Selena should apologize and then she should get acquainted with the basics of world religions."
Gomez has since been praised by the leaders of the Universal society for understanding the severity of this issue and for declining to use religious garb in her music video, which released on May 7th, and her upcoming world tour.
Zed expressed gratitude for Gomez's decision to opt out of featuring the bindi and suggested that Gomez "seriously explore Hinduism," offering his, or other Hindu scholars' assistance, according to E! Online.