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

    Took Me Long To Believe I'm Beautiful: Kajol

    Took Me Long To Believe I'm Beautiful: Kajol
    Actress Kajol, who believes in a regular skin care regime, says it took some time for her to believe that she is beautiful.

    Took Me Long To Believe I'm Beautiful: Kajol

    Priyanka Chopra Ecstatic About Dwayne Johnson's 'Sexiest Man Alive' Title

    Indian actress Priyanka Chopra has called her "Baywatch" co-star Dwayne Johnson "sexy".

    Priyanka Chopra Ecstatic About Dwayne Johnson's 'Sexiest Man Alive' Title

    Jennifer Aniston To Adopt From Mexican Orphanage

    Actress Jennifer Aniston is reportedly adopting children from two Mexican orphanages.

    Jennifer Aniston To Adopt From Mexican Orphanage

    Akshay Is My Biggest Cheerleader: Twinkle Khanna

    Akshay Is My Biggest Cheerleader: Twinkle Khanna
    Writer and former actress Twinkle Khanna, who has come up with her second book "The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad", says her husband Akshay Kumar is more proud of her work than anyone ever has been.

    Akshay Is My Biggest Cheerleader: Twinkle Khanna

    Karan Johar To Host '2.o' First Look Launch

    Filmmaker Karan Johar will host the first look launch event of superstar Rajinikanth's upcoming Tamil sci-fi action drama "2.o" here on Sunday.

    Karan Johar To Host '2.o' First Look Launch

    I'm Not Entering SRK's Territory With 'Befikre': Ranveer Singh

    I'm Not Entering SRK's Territory With 'Befikre': Ranveer Singh
    Ranveer Singh on Tuesday said he was the first choice of Aditya Chopra for "Befikre" right from the beginning despite the director having Shah Rukh Khan star in all his three films he made in his near three-decade long career.

    I'm Not Entering SRK's Territory With 'Befikre': Ranveer Singh

    PrevNext