Close X
    Friday, November 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

    Akshay Kumar, Zaira Wasim Win At 64th National Film Awards

    Akshay Kumar was chosen as Best Actor for "Rustom" and Surabhi C.M. was named Best Actress for Malayalam movie "Minnaminungu - The Firefly" at the 64th National Film Awards, announced here on Friday.

    Akshay Kumar, Zaira Wasim Win At 64th National Film Awards

    National Award Well Deserved For 'Shivaay': Ajay Devgn

    National Award Well Deserved For 'Shivaay': Ajay Devgn
    Bollywood actor-filmmaker Ajay Devgn, whose production and directorial venture "Shivaay" has got the National Film Award for Best Visual Effects, says the decision is not surprising.

    National Award Well Deserved For 'Shivaay': Ajay Devgn

    Team 'Neerja' Humbled Over National Film Award Win

    Team 'Neerja' Humbled Over National Film Award Win
    The team behind "Neerja", which on Friday was named the winner of the Best Hindi Film at the 64th National Film Awards, are joyous and humbled.  

    Team 'Neerja' Humbled Over National Film Award Win

    'Pink' Reached So Many People Because Of Amitabh: Director

    Director of 'Pink' Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury on Friday credited megastar Amitabh Bachchan for the wide reach and spread of the film among the people.

    'Pink' Reached So Many People Because Of Amitabh: Director

    Varun, Alia On How To Tackle Success, Failure

    Varun, Alia On How To Tackle Success, Failure
    "Badrinath Ki Dulhania" stars Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan have a tip to share for budding talent -- success and failure should not be taken too seriously.

    Varun, Alia On How To Tackle Success, Failure

    Richa Chadha's 'Anecdotal' Book To Be Out This Year

    Actress Richa Chadha says her debut book will be anecdotal in nature and she hopes she does a good job.

    Richa Chadha's 'Anecdotal' Book To Be Out This Year

    PrevNext