Close X
    Friday, September 27, 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

    Anushka-Diljit chemistry weaves magic in Dum Dum

    Anushka-Diljit chemistry weaves magic in Dum Dum
    The song’s video, steeped in the rustic, bronze-toned beauty of rural Punjab, reasserts the fabulous chemistry that Anushka and Diljit share with each other. 

    Anushka-Diljit chemistry weaves magic in Dum Dum

    Virat Kohli Posted The Sweetest Valentine's Day Message For Anushka Sharma With A Picture

    Virat Kohli Posted The Sweetest Valentine's Day Message For Anushka Sharma With A Picture
    Kohli's tweet with the photograph, which featured the couple soaking in the sun at a garden, read: "Everyday is a Valentine Day if you want it to be. You make everyday seem like one for me... Anushka Sharma."

    Virat Kohli Posted The Sweetest Valentine's Day Message For Anushka Sharma With A Picture

    Ranbir Kapoor’s Superhero Film 'Dragon' Has Amitabh Bachchan, Alia Bhatt

    Ranbir Kapoor’s Superhero Film 'Dragon' Has Amitabh Bachchan, Alia Bhatt
    Amitabh will be seen in a pivotal role in the movie. “He has given his nod for the film. It’s a full-fledged role and not a guest appearance. 

    Ranbir Kapoor’s Superhero Film 'Dragon' Has Amitabh Bachchan, Alia Bhatt

    Your Words Are As Beautiful As Your Heart: Bipasha To Karan

    Your Words Are As Beautiful As Your Heart: Bipasha To Karan
    Actress Bipasha Basu has praised her husband and actor Karan Singh Grover and has thanked him for making her feel like a princess.

    Your Words Are As Beautiful As Your Heart: Bipasha To Karan

    Pamela Anderson Likes Bringing 'Smile' To WikiLeaks Founder

    Actress Pamela Anderson, who is rumoured to be dating Julian Assange, says she likes to bring "a little help, a smile, and some glamour" to the WikiLeaks founder.

    Pamela Anderson Likes Bringing 'Smile' To WikiLeaks Founder

    Rajput Sena Demands Creation Of 'Pre-censor Board' For Period Films

    Rajput Sena Demands Creation Of 'Pre-censor Board' For Period Films
      The representatives, in a press conference here, said they will approach the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to put forth this demand.

    Rajput Sena Demands Creation Of 'Pre-censor Board' For Period Films

    PrevNext