SONU TRIGGERS SOCIAL MEDIA WAR

The singer vents ire against the use of loudspeakers for azaan, bringing forth a flood of criticism, but also some voices in support

Social media erupted on Monday, following singer Sonu Nigam’s tweets on azaan (call for prayer) on loudspeakers. While most reactions slammed Sonu, a few voices were in his favour.

Riled at being woken up by the sound of azaan — the first call comes before daybreak from the neighbourhood mosque — Sonu posted furious tweets in strong language. In one post, he wrote: “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.” He continued posting and drew flak for being “insensitive” and “derogatory”.

His next tweet said: “And by the way Mohammed did not have electricity when he made Islam. Why do I have to have this cacophony after Edison?” He went so far as to call the use of loudspeakers for azaan “gundagardi”.

There were mixed reactions from Bollywood. Veteran actor Anupam Kher expressed his surprise. Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt told us in a text message: “This is an ‘engineered’ affair. I refuse to be part of this silly conflict.” Bhatt said that this issue was “old as the hills”.

Singer Shaan backed Sonu, saying, “I support what he has tweeted, not because he’s a friend but because he’s right. The law of the land is equal [for] all. Be it azaan or Hanuman Chalisa jap or any other religious practice, one must see that noise pollution must be curtailed.”

Fellow musician Baba Sehgal said, “I think that’s [Sonu’s] perspective, but definitely, it’s not a very positive tweet.”

A “live and let live” policy was favoured by singer Sona Mohapatra, who said, “Any religion or anybody seeking spiritual salvation doesn’t need a plea — be it Muslims singing the azaan or Hindus with their bhajans.”

Supporting the tweets, singer Kailash Kher said, “Sonu has highlighted an important aspect of our life. Inhoney yeh bahut gehri baat boli hain. We can’t impose religion on anyone. Humanity is the biggest religion.”

We live here, in a messy situation. We do celebrate our religion in a loud way and we can’t complain about that HARD KAUR, SINGER

Be it azaan or Hanuman Chalisa jap or any other religious practice, one must see that noise pollution must be curtailed SHAAN, SINGER

Any religion or anybody seeking spiritual salvation doesn’t need a plea — be it Muslims or Hindus SONA MOHAPATRA, SINGER

Sonu highlighted an important aspect. Inhoney yeh bahut gehri baat boli hain. We can’t impose religion on anyone KAILASH KHER, SINGER