Close X
    Wednesday, October 2, 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

    Sanjay Dutt's Life Is An Inspiration To Many!

    Sanjay Dutt's Life Is An Inspiration To Many!
    Sanjay Dutt being approached to conduct an interactive inspirational conversation in colleges

    Sanjay Dutt's Life Is An Inspiration To Many!

    Aamir Went Through 'dramatic Body Transformation' For 'Dangal'

    Aamir Went Through 'dramatic Body Transformation' For 'Dangal'
    Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan says the makers of the forthcoming film "Dangal" will apply for tax exemption

    Aamir Went Through 'dramatic Body Transformation' For 'Dangal'

    'Pink' Has Initiated A Movement: Director

    'Pink' Has Initiated A Movement: Director
    Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, whose directorial "Pink" has been invited for a special screening at the United Nations headquarters in New York, feels honoured and says the film has initiated a movement.

    'Pink' Has Initiated A Movement: Director

    Don't Like Energy At Award Shows: Vaani Kapoor

    Don't Like Energy At Award Shows: Vaani Kapoor
    Actress Vaani Kapoor finds award functions "rehearsed", and she doesn't like the energy there.

    Don't Like Energy At Award Shows: Vaani Kapoor

    My Next Few Announcements Will Surprise Everybody: Tamannaah

    My Next Few Announcements Will Surprise Everybody: Tamannaah
    It has been a phenomenal year so far for actress Tamannaah Bhatia with three back-to-back hits. Thrilled with the response to all her projects, she said the films she has in her kitty will surprise everybody.

    My Next Few Announcements Will Surprise Everybody: Tamannaah

    Now Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore Knows, Why Katappa Killed Baahubali

    Now Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore Knows, Why Katappa Killed Baahubali
    Thank you so much for making this brilliant film for us. And thank you for telling me why did Katappa kill Baahubali

    Now Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore Knows, Why Katappa Killed Baahubali

    PrevNext