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

    The High Cinema Gives Is Unmatchable: Shriya Saran

    No other profession can match the high that cinema provides, says actress Shriya Saran, who has been acting since she was 17.

    The High Cinema Gives Is Unmatchable: Shriya Saran

    Vivek Oberoi Introduces Women Self-defence Training In Mathura

    Vivek Oberoi Introduces Women Self-defence Training In Mathura
    Actor Vivek Oberoi is set to introduce physical training and martial arts as part of the curriculum of his school in Mathura that shelters over 2,500 girls and gives them free education.

    Vivek Oberoi Introduces Women Self-defence Training In Mathura

    Sunny Deol Supports Punjab Team Pro-Wrestling League

    Sunny Deol Supports Punjab Team Pro-Wrestling League
    Bollywood actor Sunny Deol was seen cheering the NCR Punjab Royals Team from the stands today at the ongoing Pro-Wrestling League Season 2....

    Sunny Deol Supports Punjab Team Pro-Wrestling League

    SRK Is Still Macho At Heart!

    SRK Is Still Macho At Heart!
    Shah Rukh Khan who will be seen playing the character of Raees Aalam in the most anticipated film Raees helmed by Rahul Dholakia, will be seen playing such a character after a long time. 

    SRK Is Still Macho At Heart!

    Saif And Kareena Missed Their Annual Holiday At Gstaad

    Saif And Kareena Missed Their Annual Holiday At Gstaad
    Every year since Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan have been together, their annual year-end holidays have been to the snow-capped sanctuary of Gstaad in Switzerland. 

    Saif And Kareena Missed Their Annual Holiday At Gstaad

    Is Everything Not Well Between Sunil And Kapil?

    Is Everything Not Well Between Sunil And Kapil?
    Sunil Grover's film as a solo lead - Coffee with D - is hitting screens this Friday. As a result of that, everyone expected Sunil to promote his film on The Kapil Sharma Show - the comedy chat show he's an important part of. 

    Is Everything Not Well Between Sunil And Kapil?

    PrevNext