Close X
    Tuesday, November 12, 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

    You Can Now Bid To Spend Yoga Weekend With Shilpa Shetty

    Want to spend a 'yoga and wellness' weekend with actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra? Well, you have a chance to bid for it in an online auction.

    You Can Now Bid To Spend Yoga Weekend With Shilpa Shetty

    Don't Let Naysayers Discourage You: Huma Qureshi

    Actress Huma Qureshi, who has often been a victim to bodyshaming, says people will never get discouraged by naysayers if they will focus on their work.

    Don't Let Naysayers Discourage You: Huma Qureshi

    Those Who Are Angry With My Tweets, Enjoy Them Most: Ram Gopal Varma

    Those Who Are Angry With My Tweets, Enjoy Them Most: Ram Gopal Varma
    Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma says he feels those who slam him for his controversial tweets, perhaps enjoy them the most.

    Those Who Are Angry With My Tweets, Enjoy Them Most: Ram Gopal Varma

    All Is Not Well Between Ellen DeGeneres And Partner Portia De Rossi

    Popular TV host Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are reportedly heading for a counselor to save their marriage.

    All Is Not Well Between Ellen DeGeneres And Partner Portia De Rossi

    Alia, Varun's Chemistry In Badrinath Ki Dulhania Gets Thumbs Up

    Alia, Varun's Chemistry In Badrinath Ki Dulhania Gets Thumbs Up
    Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt starrer "Badrinath Ki Dulhania", which released on Friday, is being lauded by celebrities for their chemistry.

    Alia, Varun's Chemistry In Badrinath Ki Dulhania Gets Thumbs Up

    Ram Gopal Varma Digs Out Sridevi's Old Picture

    Ram Gopal Varma Digs Out Sridevi's Old Picture
    Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma on Friday shared an old image from the sets of his 1994 Telugu thriller "Govinda Govinda", starring Akkineni Nagarjuna and Sridevi.

    Ram Gopal Varma Digs Out Sridevi's Old Picture

    PrevNext