Close X
    Sunday, September 29, 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

    'Noor' not just a film, but an experience: Sonakshi

    'Noor' not just a film, but an experience: Sonakshi
    Actress Sonakshi Sinha, who has wrapped up shooting for her upcoming movie "Noor", says it was not just a film but an experience too.

    'Noor' not just a film, but an experience: Sonakshi

    B-Town Celebs Spread Warmth, Happiness On Lohri

    B-Town Celebs Spread Warmth, Happiness On Lohri
    Bollywood celebrities Rishi Kapoor, Hema Malini and Madhur Bhandarkar, among many others, have wished everyone a year full of "warmth", "happiness" and "prosperity" o

    B-Town Celebs Spread Warmth, Happiness On Lohri

    I'm Happy Being Single: Rakhi Sawant

    Rakhi's friend and former model and actress Sofia Hayat earlier said that she wants her to get married in 2017. However, Rakhi doesn't seem to be in a hurry.

    I'm Happy Being Single: Rakhi Sawant

    Ellen Degeneres Confronted By Waitress Over Tip?

    Popular American talk show host Ellen DeGeneres was confronted by a waitress at a cafe here over a tip, says a source.

    Ellen Degeneres Confronted By Waitress Over Tip?

    'Kaabil' Idea Isn't To Be Sympathetic To Visually Impaired: Yami

    'Kaabil' Idea Isn't To Be Sympathetic To Visually Impaired: Yami
    Actress Yami Gautam, who is playing the role of a visually impaired girl in "Kaabil", says she discovered the idea is not to treat any visually impair people with sympathy but equality through the journey of the film.

    'Kaabil' Idea Isn't To Be Sympathetic To Visually Impaired: Yami

    Feel Second Film Is Like Re-launch For Me, Says Bhumi Pednekar

    Feel Second Film Is Like Re-launch For Me, Says Bhumi Pednekar
    Bollywood actress Bhui Pednekar, who is currently busy shooting for her second film "Toilet- Ek Prem Katha", says the film is a "re-launch" for her in Bollywood.

    Feel Second Film Is Like Re-launch For Me, Says Bhumi Pednekar

    PrevNext