Close X
    Saturday, September 28, 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

    Indian Producer Keen To Make Film With Jackie Chan

    Actor Jackky Bhagnanis sister and producer Deepshikha Deshmukh had a fan-girl moment when she met international cine icon Jackie Chan here recently. She says it will be a dream come true to make a film with him.

    Indian Producer Keen To Make Film With Jackie Chan

    'Raees', 'Kaabil' Create 'Fantastic' Buzz On Opening Day

    Despite releasing in mid week, "Raees", which also stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, collected Rs 20.42 crore, read a statement on behalf of the film's makers.

    'Raees', 'Kaabil' Create 'Fantastic' Buzz On Opening Day

    Wouldn't Like To Repeat Roles: Adah Sharma

    Actress Adah Sharma, who has worked in the southern and Hindi cinema, says she enjoys maintaining a variety in the characters she portrays on screen.

    Wouldn't Like To Repeat Roles: Adah Sharma

    Bollywood Celebs Pledge For 'Remonetise India' Campaign

    Bollywood Celebs Pledge For 'Remonetise India' Campaign
    Bollywood celebrities like Javed Akhtar, Anil Kapoor and R. Madhavan have come out in support of a campaign titled 'Remonetise India - A Citizen's Pledge' to spread awareness among people about digitization.

    Bollywood Celebs Pledge For 'Remonetise India' Campaign

    Iranian Actor To Boycott Oscars To Protest Trump's 'Racist' Travel Ban

    Iranian Actor To Boycott Oscars To Protest Trump's 'Racist' Travel Ban
    The Iranian star of the Oscar-nominated film 'The Salesman' on Thursday announced she would boycott the awards in protest against US President Donald Trump's "racist" ban on Muslim immigrants.

    Iranian Actor To Boycott Oscars To Protest Trump's 'Racist' Travel Ban

    'Anaarkali Of Aaraah' not to be missed: Swara Bhaskar

    'Anaarkali Of Aaraah' not to be missed: Swara Bhaskar
    Swara Bhaskar's new movie "Anaarkali Of Aaraah" has been locked for release on March 24, and the actress says this is one film the audience should not miss.

    'Anaarkali Of Aaraah' not to be missed: Swara Bhaskar

    PrevNext