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I Stand By My Statement: Sonu Nigam Calls Azaan 'Forced Religiousness', Evoke Mixed Response

Darpan News Desk IANS, 18 Apr, 2017 01:04 PM

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."

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
— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 16, 2017

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.

And by the way Mohammed did not have electricity when he made Islam.. Why do I have to have this cacophony after Edison?
— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 17, 2017

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."

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?
— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 17, 2017

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.

Gundagardi hai bus...
— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 17, 2017

"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.

Dear everyone. Your stand exposes your own IQ. I stand by my statement that loudspeakers should not be allowed in Mosques & Temples. Period
— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 18, 2017

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.

This is how Sensible people Interpret an issue. Respects Mr Ahmed Patel. It is not about Azaan or Aarti. It's about Loudspeaker. https://t.co/8aABhYLic2
— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 18, 2017

"(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."

Dear @wajidkhan7. If for once u stop being a Muslim & simply be a Citizen of India, u will see what everyone is truly talking about. Love https://t.co/AmX7qXHW13
— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 18, 2017

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