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

    Chris Martin Lands In India For Global Citizen Festival

    Coldplay frontman Chris Martin arrived here on Wednesday, three days ahead of the debut edition of the Global Citizen Festival India (GCFI), where he is scheduled to perform with his world-famous British boy band.

    Chris Martin Lands In India For Global Citizen Festival

    There Is Nothing Called Mainstream Or Art Films: Kajol

    There Is Nothing Called Mainstream Or Art Films: Kajol
    Actress Kajol who has signed up a film with the "Ship of Theseus" director Anand Gandhi, says she doesn't differentiate between films as mainstream cinema or art cinema.

    There Is Nothing Called Mainstream Or Art Films: Kajol

    Modi Has Risked His Political Legacy For Country: Vivek Oberoi

    Modi Has Risked His Political Legacy For Country: Vivek Oberoi
    Actor Vivek Oberoi on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has risked his own political career by demonetising Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes in an attempt do something unique for the country.

    Modi Has Risked His Political Legacy For Country: Vivek Oberoi

    Sanjay Leela Bhansali Changed My Notions About Acting: Ranveer Singh

    Sanjay Leela Bhansali Changed My Notions About Acting: Ranveer Singh
    Actor Ranveer Singh says filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, under whose direction he worked in "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela", has changed his ideas about acting and helped him to evolve as an actor.

    Sanjay Leela Bhansali Changed My Notions About Acting: Ranveer Singh

    Sonam Kapoor To Be Feted At Asia Vision Movie Awards

    Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor will be feted with the Best Actress honour for her performance in the biopic "Neerja" at the Asia Vision Movie Awards.

    Sonam Kapoor To Be Feted At Asia Vision Movie Awards

    Was An Honour To Be In Big B's Company: Manoj Bajpayee

    Was An Honour To Be In Big B's Company: Manoj Bajpayee
    Critically acclaimed actor Manoj Bajpayee, who will be sharing screen space with Amitabh Bachchan in "Sarkar 3", says it was an honour for him to be in the megastar's company.

    Was An Honour To Be In Big B's Company: Manoj Bajpayee

    PrevNext