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

    Nikitin Dheer To Celebrate New Year With Wife In Singapore

    Actor Nikitin Dheer, who was last seen as the antagonist in "Nagarjun - Ek Yoddha", will be ringing in the New Year with his wife and actress Kratika Sengar in Singapore.

    Nikitin Dheer To Celebrate New Year With Wife In Singapore

    Haryana To Have Special Statewide Screenings Of 'Dangal'

    Haryana To Have Special Statewide Screenings Of 'Dangal'
    The Haryana government will screen Aamir Khan's hit film "Dangal" at a film festival to be organised across the state as part of the state's golden jubilee celebrations, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Tuesday.

    Haryana To Have Special Statewide Screenings Of 'Dangal'

    BJP's Social Media Cell Campaigned Against Aamir Khan, Claims New Book

    On November 23, 2015, Aamir Khan, speaking at the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards ceremony, had said: "Kiran (Kiran Rao) and I have lived all our lives in India. For the first time, she said, should we move out of India?"

    BJP's Social Media Cell Campaigned Against Aamir Khan, Claims New Book

    Is Shahid Kapoor Still Insecure About Mira Rajput's Ex-boyfriends?

    Is Shahid Kapoor Still Insecure About Mira Rajput's Ex-boyfriends?
    The couple will appear for the first time during a TV show. The couch on Koffee With Karan that witnessed so many guests this season also surrendered to the comfort level between Shahid and Mira. 

    Is Shahid Kapoor Still Insecure About Mira Rajput's Ex-boyfriends?

    See Pics: Kareena Kapoor Turns Santa As She Celebrates Christmas With Saif And Her Gang Of Girls

    See Pics: Kareena Kapoor Turns Santa As She Celebrates Christmas With Saif And Her Gang Of Girls
    Kareena Kapoor Khan, we just love you. We love you for the fact you are breaking all limits and just setting a new example for all young moms out there.

    See Pics: Kareena Kapoor Turns Santa As She Celebrates Christmas With Saif And Her Gang Of Girls

    See Pic: Anushka Sharma And Virat Kohli Spend Christmas Together

    See Pic: Anushka Sharma And Virat Kohli Spend Christmas Together
    After drubbing England in the recent series, Test captain Virat Kohli seems to be in a vacation mode. The cricketer was spotted with Bollywood actress and rumoured girlfriend Anushka Sharma at the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. 

    See Pic: Anushka Sharma And Virat Kohli Spend Christmas Together

    PrevNext