Close X
    Monday, September 30, 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

    Saif Praises 'Dangal', Terms Aamir 'Phenomenal'

    Saif Praises 'Dangal', Terms Aamir 'Phenomenal'
    Saif Ali Khan, who saw "Dangal" on Tuesday, praised the movie and termed Aamir Khan a "phenomenal actor".

    Saif Praises 'Dangal', Terms Aamir 'Phenomenal'

    Salman Khan Welcomes Fans Into His Life On 51st Birthday

    Salman Khan Welcomes Fans Into His Life On 51st Birthday
    Superstar Salman Khan turned 51 on Tuesday, and as a gift to his fans, he welcomed them into his life with the launch of his mobile application titled 'Being In Touch'.

    Salman Khan Welcomes Fans Into His Life On 51st Birthday

    Do In Life What Is Close To Your Heart, Shah Rukh Tells Students

    Do In Life What Is Close To Your Heart, Shah Rukh Tells Students
    Actor Shah Rukh Khan on Monday advised students graduating from Moulana Azad National Urdu University to do in life what is close to their heart so that they do not have regrets later.

    Do In Life What Is Close To Your Heart, Shah Rukh Tells Students

    People Have Misused Modi's Demonetisation Move: Mika

    Bollywood singer Mika Singh on Monday said the Narendra Modi-led central government's demonetisation move has been misused by the people.

    People Have Misused Modi's Demonetisation Move: Mika

    See Pics: Shah Rukh Receives Honorary Doctorate For Promoting Urdu

    See Pics: Shah Rukh Receives Honorary Doctorate For Promoting Urdu
    Indian film superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Monday received an honorary doctorate from Moulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) here for his extraordinary contribution in promotion of te Urdu language and culture through his films.

    See Pics: Shah Rukh Receives Honorary Doctorate For Promoting Urdu

    Neha Dhupia Would 'Love' To Work With Aamir Khan

    Actress-producer Neha Dhupia, who hosts her audio talk show "#NoFilterNeha" on a music streaming service, says she would love to work with superstar Aamir Khan.

    Neha Dhupia Would 'Love' To Work With Aamir Khan

    PrevNext