Sonu Nigam's post against azaan evoke mixed response
Mumbai
April 17, 2017
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."
Mumbai
April 17, 2017
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."
Tags: Sonu Nigam