Seedsofhappiness Wearing a Bindi is an individual choice; I agree with that statement.
India is a secular country, True, According to Article 25 of Indian Constitution.

Let’s move onto the Bindi part- you said and I quote,”but to cover my forehead with a bindi or not is absolutely my choice, and also ‘doesn’t define my religion or identity.’”

Let’s trace back the history of Bindi because it seems to me you’re having an identity crisis and imposing your ‘my choice, no bindi’ ideology onto others.

Bindi, which essentially is a red dot symbolises the Hindu Goddess Shakti. It is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Bindu’ which indicates the ‘mystic third eye’ [Ajna] Chakra, in the centre of our forehead and hence, wearing a bindi is a way to strengthen and retain the energy in the third eye chakra and is worn with religious and social significance, no denial here.
Scientifically, the spot where we wear Bindi is a converging point for nerves and if massaged it is believed to relieve headaches and clear sinus and improves blood circulation, therefore there is a reason in our religion why we put our bindi in the middle of our foreheads.

Again, you said and I quote,”But what’s sad instead of becoming progressive and accepting about each other, the hatred among people seems to be rising.”

Progressive doesn’t mean you can be dismissive about one community’s religious sentiments and significance while you support the other.

As far the audience members reacting outrageously to commercials is concerned, the market decides acceptance standards and tolerance levels. For me to be a secular person, which I inherently am by the virtue of being born into a religion which doesn’t demolish or defy the existence of contemporary faith, I need not be tolerant to an inauthentic, imposed iteration of a festival associated with my faith.