Dot busting

 Today i came across this article. Some far right fellow in the usa was disrupting Diwali celebrations in a most non violent manner. Here be the link. Let me come to my grouse. One would see that he is holding a placard which expresses a desire to "deport all dot heads".  For people who do not know, what he means by dot heads, let me explain. Hindu females traditionally apply a marking on their forehead, using the ring finger maybe, using a powder called kumkum or kunkumam. The curious reader may search about tis powder, its composition, the traditional beliefs and maybe myths also. This marking has been applied over centuries if not millenia. Later on sticker bindis also took over considering the convenience. But one way or the other, the tradition continued through invasions. However, lately in industry and sadly in government jobs also, there is thisw wave of secularism sweeping in. let me begin with my observations in corporate or rather "information technology" industry in India. Lot of males and females joined the industry and learned the habits and practices of a mostly western corporate environment. 

I do not know when this trend started of removing the bindi or kumkum by the female section of the populace. I rememeber in 2010 tat even the most proud, fierece and feminist outlook females would wear bindi. Their feminism was in action, decision making and not so much on eschewing the sari or salwar for something more western outfit. I reiterate that this is not a judgement but merely and observation. MAtronly females in corporate can still be foind pottering about sporting large bindi. 

I do not remember when this trend started to dispose off the bindis. Maybe, my aged colleagues felt awkward showing random religious symbols outwardly, it could be that the influenece of TV series had also layed an influence. What started off as an exception - mainly metro or convent education(probably government educated also), has now become the norm. One would hardly find a Dotted Female in india in corporate workforce in any significant numbers. The other point to be mentioned is that on the day a company declares a "Traditional day", these same populace would be dressed up in all finery(one would want to use the word bridal) - whether it is the latent desire to wear the dress has welled up or some trendy thing to put in instagram or any other reason is unknown to me.

Should the onus be only on femles to uphold or wear traditional pottu? i am not entering this. Indian males have long given up vibhuti, tilakam, etc. 

I have also not touched upon the government practices of abolishing religious symbols - except Sikhs. This is a different topic.

Hoping that the above provides a simple enough background, I am sure that Hindu females in usa have also stopped or reduced using the pottu. Maybe early settlers did, that is why the westerners would have observed this and named quaintly as dot-heads. But given the recent trends, I wanted to tell Mr. Jake Lang and his brotherhood, in case he chances on this blog - not to worry about dots. They are long gone except for some festival or traditional day.

Thank you for your attention to this not-so-important matter!!!