Close X
    Monday, November 11, 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

    Hansal Mehta 'disappointed' Over 'Aligarh' Snub At National Awards

    Filmmaker Hansal Mehta says it's disappointing that his critically acclaimed film "Aligarh" was not considered worthy of an honour at the 64th National Film Awards. However, he hopes the debate around LGBTQ rights is not ignored.

    Hansal Mehta 'disappointed' Over 'Aligarh' Snub At National Awards

    Aspire To Have Film Institute In Patna, Bihar: Manoj Bajpayee

    Aspire To Have Film Institute In Patna, Bihar: Manoj Bajpayee
    Actor Manoj Bajpayee, who is enjoying the success of his latest film "Naam Shabana" aspires to have a film institute in Patna and Bihar.

    Aspire To Have Film Institute In Patna, Bihar: Manoj Bajpayee

    Hema Malini Wields Broom, Launches Clean Water Service

    BJP MP and veteran actress Hema Malini on Friday picked up a broomstick here to drive the message of cleanliness, and launched a service for home delivery of drinking water.

    Hema Malini Wields Broom, Launches Clean Water Service

    PICS: Shah Rukh Khan Turns Sikh For This Song With Anushka Sharma

    PICS: Shah Rukh Khan Turns Sikh For This Song With Anushka Sharma
    The Imtiaz Ali film is still untitled but has got all the elements to keep Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma fans all excited.

    PICS: Shah Rukh Khan Turns Sikh For This Song With Anushka Sharma

    WATCH: Comedian Sunil Pal Urges Kapil And Sunil To Make Peace; Posts A Video On Social Media

    WATCH: Comedian Sunil Pal Urges Kapil And Sunil To Make Peace; Posts A Video On Social Media
    Sunil Pal said: "Together you and Kapil have made the show a huge success. You are two wheels of the show and I'm afraid you won't be anything without each other" 

    WATCH: Comedian Sunil Pal Urges Kapil And Sunil To Make Peace; Posts A Video On Social Media

    Aamir Khan Refuses To Release Dangal In Pakistan Without National Anthem

    Aamir Khan Refuses To Release Dangal In Pakistan Without National Anthem
    Actor-producer Aamir Khan has decided against releasing his Bollywood blockbuster "Dangal" in Pakistan after the censor board there demanded that two scenes involving the Indian flag and anthem be cut.

    Aamir Khan Refuses To Release Dangal In Pakistan Without National Anthem

    PrevNext