Close X
    Friday, October 4, 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

    My Films Have Never Made Money: Vishal Bhardwaj

    National Award-winning filmmaker and composer Vishal Bhardwaj says his films have never worked at the box office.

    My Films Have Never Made Money: Vishal Bhardwaj

    'Golmaal Returns' Was A Crap Film: Rohit Shetty

    'Golmaal Returns' Was A Crap Film: Rohit Shetty
    Rohit Shetty's 2008 directorial "Golmaal Returns" was a blockbuster, but he says he knew that it was a crap film.

    'Golmaal Returns' Was A Crap Film: Rohit Shetty

    My role in 'Sarkar 3' is small but important: Manoj Bajpai

    My role in 'Sarkar 3' is small but important: Manoj Bajpai
    Acclaimed actor Manoj Bajpai who will be seen in Ram Gopal Verma's much-awaited political thriller "Sarkar 3" said his character in the film is small but an important one.

    My role in 'Sarkar 3' is small but important: Manoj Bajpai

    Justin Bieber Booed By Fans, Storms Off Stage

    Justin Bieber Booed By Fans, Storms Off Stage
    Grammy award winner Justin Bieber stormed off the stage during a performance here after being booed by the crowd.

    Justin Bieber Booed By Fans, Storms Off Stage

    I'm Not Good Enough To Do Plays: Shahid

    I'm Not Good Enough To Do Plays: Shahid
    Actor Shahid Kapoor says that theatre is a beautiful platform, but he feels he is not good enough to be on the stage right now.

    I'm Not Good Enough To Do Plays: Shahid

    Kangana Changed Clothes Behind Rocks For 'Rangoon'

    Kangana Changed Clothes Behind Rocks For 'Rangoon'
    National Award-winning actress Kangana Ranaut, who will be seen in filmmaker Vishal Bhardwajs "Rangoon", says she used to change her costumes behind rocks due to lack of facilities while shooting for the periodic drama film.

    Kangana Changed Clothes Behind Rocks For 'Rangoon'

    PrevNext