Pop songstress and actress Selena Gomez performed at the MTV Movie Awards over the weekend, but has since been slammed by the Hindu community for wearing a bindi.

She treated ceremony goers and viewers at home alike to a rendition of her new single, 'Come & Get It', and chose to wear an Asian-inspired outfit complete with bindi, but has been criticised for offending Hindus and using it for 'seductive effect'.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed explained: "The bindi on the forehead is an ancient tradition in Hinduism and has religious significance. 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 apologise and then she should get aquainted with the basics of world religions."