Bollywood singer, Sonu Nigam, who is well known for being vocal and outspoken about his likes and dislikes, had to face people’s wrath on social media.
The singer has often been credited for being adequately candid but also been called out for his bluntness. And now, Sonu once again, landed in controversy. Sonu who seemingly, got woken up by “Azaan”, a religious call for prayer of the Muslims, rebuked the unmonitored usage of loudspeakers. The singer heavily criticized the practices of religious sectors and organizations of booming their prayers, much to the agony of people who are voluntarily subjected to it.
Sonu Nigam, was branded “anti-muslim” after his tweets on the “Azaan” went viral, which read, “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?”
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 followed saying, with a series of tweets:
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
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
Gundagardi hai bus...
— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 17, 2017
These remarks made by the singer, enraged a Muslim organization, and a cleric issued a fatwa against the singer. The cleric was quoted saying: “If anyone can shave his hair, put a garland of old torn shoes around his neck and tour him around the country, I personally announce an award of Rs.10 lakhs for that person.”
Sonu took it as a challenge. He announced on Twitter, that he was ready to shave his head and asked the Maulavi to bring Rs 10 lakhs to his home.
Today at 2pm Aalim will come to my place, and shave my head. Keep your 10 lakhs ready Maulavi. https://t.co/5jyCmkt3pm
— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 19, 2017
He further tweeted:
And dear Everyone, for those who are tainting my Tweets anti Muslim, tell me 1 place where I have said anything related, & I'll apologize.
— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 18, 2017
When I am talking about Loudspeakers, I did mention Temples and Gurudwaras too. Is it that hard to comprehend? Loosen up guys.
— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 18, 2017
Sonu, appeared before the media at his home, today afternoon with a shiny bald head and said, “I believe in all faiths and I didn’t speak against any religion.”
The singer further said: “Jiss insaan ne poori zindagi Mohd Rafi sahab ko apna pita maana hai, jiske guru ka naam Ustad Gulam Mustafa Khan sahab hai, us insan ke baare mein koi aisa soche, kahe ya taunt kare ki anti-Muslim hai, toh ye meri problem nahi hai, ye aapki problem hai. (I am someone who spent my entire life idolising Mohd Rafi as my father figure, I am someone whose teacher is Ustad Gulam Mustafa Khan, and I am being labeled anti-Muslim.. it’s not my problem but the other person’s.”)
Sonu Nigam also stressed over how it is his democratic right to have an opinion, “This is a social topic and not religious and I have a right to my opinion.” The singer has been receiving severe criticism after his tweets on the “Azaan” went viral.
Sonu Nigam shaved off his head, hours after offering to apologize if his controversial tweets were found to be anti-Muslim.
By Supraja
