Close X
    Monday, November 25, 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

    Salman Khan Launches Asha Parekh's Biography, Says He Cannot Write His Own

    Salman Khan Launches Asha Parekh's Biography, Says He Cannot Write His Own
    Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who is known for his flamboyant image and colourful life, says he would not be able to write his autobiography.

    Salman Khan Launches Asha Parekh's Biography, Says He Cannot Write His Own

    Don't Shame Sexual Assault Victims, Urges Big B

    Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has recorded a two-minute prologue for a social campaign on 'Victim Shaming', urging families, authority figures and citizens to reflect upon the need to break the tolerance towards how victims of sexual assault are treated.

    Don't Shame Sexual Assault Victims, Urges Big B

    Shilpa Shetty Hints 'Dhadkan' Is Being Remade

    Shilpa Shetty Hints 'Dhadkan' Is Being Remade
    Actress Shilpa Shetty, who has worked in superhit films like "Baazigar", "Dus" and "Pardesi Babu", thinks that her film "Dhadkan" is being remade.

    Shilpa Shetty Hints 'Dhadkan' Is Being Remade

    Salman Khan Releases Motion Poster Of 'Hanuman Da Damdaar'

    Salman Khan Releases Motion Poster Of 'Hanuman Da Damdaar'
    Superstar Salman Khan, who has lent his voice to the character of Lord Hanuman in the forthcoming animated film "Hanuman Da Damdaar", shared the link to the motion poster of the film on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti on Tuesday.

    Salman Khan Releases Motion Poster Of 'Hanuman Da Damdaar'

    When Begum Jaan Met Begum Jaan! Vidya Balan Meets The Cast Of Rajkahini

    When Begum Jaan Met Begum Jaan! Vidya Balan Meets The Cast Of Rajkahini
    I am very happy that I am doing the adaptation of 'Rajkahini'. I am very happy to be part of Srijit's first Hindi film. You have given so much of love to 'Rajkahini'. 

    When Begum Jaan Met Begum Jaan! Vidya Balan Meets The Cast Of Rajkahini

    Terence Lewis goes make-up free for 'Nach Baliye 8'

    Terence Lewis goes make-up free for 'Nach Baliye 8'
    Choreographer Terence Lewis has always stood out with his funky styling and edgy looks, but for his appearance as a judge on "Nach Baliye 8", he has decided to be natural -- without any make-up.

    Terence Lewis goes make-up free for 'Nach Baliye 8'

    PrevNext