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

    Nimrat Kaur To Be Seen Doing Action

    Actress Nimrat Kaur said on Monday she might be seen doing action in her next film.

    Nimrat Kaur To Be Seen Doing Action

    Unreasonable Cuts Diluted Impact Of '31st October': Producer

    Unreasonable Cuts Diluted Impact Of '31st October': Producer
    Harry Sachdeva, who wrote and produced "31st October", says unreasonable cuts by Central Board Of Film Certification (CBFC) "diluted the impact of the film".

    Unreasonable Cuts Diluted Impact Of '31st October': Producer

    Sherlyn Chopra's Pets 'Own' Her Life

    Sherlyn Chopra's Pets 'Own' Her Life
    Actress Sherlyn Chopra, who is coming up with a short film titled "Maya", says she is very close to her pets.

    Sherlyn Chopra's Pets 'Own' Her Life

    Ajay Devgn Fears Losing Loved Ones

    Ajay Devgn Fears Losing Loved Ones
    Actor-filmmaker Ajay Devgn, who is awaiting the release of his directorial venture "Shivaay", says he fears losing his loved ones.

    Ajay Devgn Fears Losing Loved Ones

    Shabana Azmi criticises Maharashtra CM

    Veteran actress Shabana Azmi has slammed Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for allegedly facilitating the extortion of money from Bollywood producers.

    Shabana Azmi criticises Maharashtra CM

    My Best Film Is Yet To Come: Shahid Kapoor

    Actor Shahid Kapoor, who earned critical acclaim for his performances in films like "Kaminey", "Haider" and "Udta Punjab", says his best is yet to come.

    My Best Film Is Yet To Come: Shahid Kapoor

    PrevNext