Close X
    Tuesday, September 24, 2024
    ADVT 
    Bollywood

    I Stand By My Statement: Sonu Nigam Calls Azaan 'Forced Religiousness', Evoke Mixed Response

    Darpan News Desk IANS, 18 Apr, 2017 01:04 PM
    • I Stand By My Statement: Sonu Nigam Calls Azaan 'Forced Religiousness', Evoke Mixed Response
    Leading singer Sonu Nigam on Monday lashed out at "forced religiousness" in India after being woken up by the 'azaan' from a nearby mosque, triggering a torrent of reaction for and against.
     
    The "Kal ho naa ho" singer posted: "God bless everyone. I'm not a Muslim and I have to be woken up by the azaan in the morning. When will this forced religiousness end in India?" 
     
    Nigam explained his stance in a long Twitter post.
     
    "And by the way, (Prophet) Mohammed did not have electricity when he made Islam... Why do I have to have this cacophony after Edison? 
     
    "I don't believe in any temple or gurudwara using electricity To wake up people who don't follow the religion. Why then..? Honest? True? Gundagardi hai, bus."
     
    He tagged Maharastra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. 
     
    "Dear Fadnavis, please note and help us force police to act against illegal blaring of azaan and other such activities," the singer pleaded.
     
    As Nigam's views went viral, reactions poured in from all over India.
     
    Pakistan-born Canadian writer Tarek Fatah sided with the singer: "You are spot on Sonu Nigam. Thank god there is at least one person in India who has the courage to stare down mullah bullying. Shut the 4 a.m. azaan." 
     
    Not everyone felt the same way.
     
    Standup comedian Atul Khatri asked the Bollywood singer to find a new place if he was facing so much trouble. 
     
    "Hey Sonu Nigam, Shift to Ayodhya. I know a place there where there is no mosque," he tweeted. 
     
    Maharashtra Congress leader Naseem Khan said Nigam's comments were intended at communal polarisation and for cheap publicity. 
     
    Khan told IANS: "He (Nigam) is a lover of late night parties and then sleeps till late hours. The Bombay High Court has permitted loudspeakers' use from 6 a.m.to 10 p.m. So, his statement is baseless and aimed at creating divisions among communities." 
     
    Film editor Apurva Asrani expressed his opposition to all kinds of noise pollution.
     
    "(I) don't want to hear the azaan at dawn, nor do I want to hear a 'Chikni chameli' tuned Ganesh Aarti at dusk. Ban all loud-speakering of religion," he tweeted.
     
     
    Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri lent support to Nigam: "I am willing to sponsor a campaign against illegal blaring of azaan and other prayers on loudspeakers. Suggest a creative hashtag." 
    Prev Next

    MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

    Vivek Oberoi, Jackie Shroff In Talks For Prabhas's Next

    Vivek Oberoi, Jackie Shroff In Talks For Prabhas's Next
    Actors Vivek Oberoi and Jackie Shroff are being considered for pivotal roles in Prabhas's yet-untitled upcoming trilingual actioner, a source in the know of developments said.

    Vivek Oberoi, Jackie Shroff In Talks For Prabhas's Next

    Loved The Toboggan Run: Ranveer Singh

    Actor Ranveer Singh says he loved the toboggan run -- which he tried in Switzerland.

    Loved The Toboggan Run: Ranveer Singh

    'Bareilly Ki Barfi' opposite of 'Raabta', says Kriti Sanon

    Actress Kriti Sanon, who has been busy shooting for her two upcoming films "Raabta" and "Bareilly Ki Barfi", says both projects are completely different.

    'Bareilly Ki Barfi' opposite of 'Raabta', says Kriti Sanon

    'Phillauri' Team Uses Social Listening For Promotion

    'Phillauri' Team Uses Social Listening For Promotion
    Given that the storyline of the film revolves around a friendly spirit Shashi, played by Anushka Sharma, the marketing strategy was built on playing up the characteristic traits of the spirit -- she was invisible and she was omnipresent -- and drive social engagement around the film.

    'Phillauri' Team Uses Social Listening For Promotion

    Ajay Devgn Suggested 'Mirza Juuliet' Film Title

    Ajay Devgn Suggested 'Mirza Juuliet' Film Title
    Actor Ajay Devgn had suggested the title "Mirza Juuliet" for a film which tells a unique love story, says the director.

    Ajay Devgn Suggested 'Mirza Juuliet' Film Title

    Whenever Girls Scream Varun's Name Or Even Come To Kiss Him, He Becomes All Shy, Says Alia

    Actress Alia Bhatt says her "Badrinath Ki Dulhania" co-star Varun Dhawan is so shy as a person that he gets all coy when he is approached by female fans.

    Whenever Girls Scream Varun's Name Or Even Come To Kiss Him, He Becomes All Shy, Says Alia

    PrevNext