Close X
    Thursday, October 3, 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

    Vir Das inspired by Joker for 'Raakh' role

    He usually makes the audience laugh, but for short film "Raakh", Vir Das took on a serious avatar and says he found inspiration for the role from the famous "Batman" character Joker.

    Vir Das inspired by Joker for 'Raakh' role

    Tiger Shroff elated with films’ premieres getting high TRPs on TV

    Tiger Shroff, who has had two releases this year, Baaghi and A Flying Jatt, is overwhelmed with the response his films are getting on the small screen.

    Tiger Shroff elated with films’ premieres getting high TRPs on TV

    Proud That My Children Are Not Echoes Of Their Parents: Javed Akhtar

    Acclaimed writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar says he is proud of the fact that his children -- Zoya and Farhan -- are doing something completely different from what his portfolio in the Indian film industry.

    Proud That My Children Are Not Echoes Of Their Parents: Javed Akhtar

    Anupam Kher To Enact Monologue At Literature Festival In Delhi

    Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who runs his own acting school, will perform his popular monologue "Kuchhh Bhi Ho Sakta Hai" at Sahitya Aaj Tak literature festival here on Sunday.

    Anupam Kher To Enact Monologue At Literature Festival In Delhi

    Harbhajan Singh To Judge 'Roadies Rising' With Neha Dhupia

    Harbhajan Singh To Judge 'Roadies Rising' With Neha Dhupia

    After judging comedy TV show "Mazaak Mazaak Mein", veteran Indian off-spinner Harbhajan...

    Harbhajan Singh To Judge 'Roadies Rising' With Neha Dhupia

    One Kannada Actor's Body Fished Out From Lake After Stunt

    One Kannada Actor's Body Fished Out From Lake After Stunt
    The body of one of the two actors who drowned in a nearby lake enacting a stunt scene for a Kannada film was fished out on Wednesday, said an official.

    One Kannada Actor's Body Fished Out From Lake After Stunt

    PrevNext