Last year, Sonu Nigam courted controversy when he called azaan on loudspeakers ‘forced religiousness.’
The singer posted a series of tweets complaining about the disturbance caused by the use of loudspeakers to broadcast prayers by mosques, temples and gurudwaras.
The tweet sparked outrage and Nigam faced a lot of backlash. A cleric even went to the extent of announcing a ₹10 lakh reward for anyone who could shave Sonu’s head and garland him with shoes.
This resulted in the singer shaving his head.
Now, after almost a year, poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar has reignited the debate.
He posted a tweet supporting the singer, albeit a little late.
This is to put on record that I totally agree with all those including Sonu Nigam who want that Loud speakers should not be used by the mosques and for that matter by any place of worship in residential areas .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) February 7, 2018
As expected, people began voicing their opinions on the same.
While some supported Akhtar…
Being a Muslim I don’t have problem with loudspeakers or any religion activity .I respect all religions every religion has it’s own history everyone has a right to practice .i request all use something else to b in limelight leave religions aside
— Syed shuja andrabi (@Shujaandrabi2) February 7, 2018
What’s the need of loudspeaker for calling people to offer prayers? Those who are God fearing will go for prayer without loudspeaker, and those who doesn’t care will not attend prayer even if you put 100 loudspeaker.
— Taslim Shaikh (@taslimshaikh) February 7, 2018
Others didn’t seem to agree.
Azan is call for prayer and for your information hardly people wake up due to azaan , now you are saying this after few years you will be saying to do forbidden works too need no mention
— Race3ThisEid (@SalmansSoldier) February 8, 2018
Dear Sir, we all know that your era is ending and we want to bid farewell to you with good wishes. Then why do you use such topics to come into light when you know that Azaan is for 1-2 mins. Please understand the country runs on law and not on your logic.
— Emperor Mohd Tarique (@Kuku1432Salman) February 7, 2018
When a Twitter user called him out for being a hypocrite, Akhtar replied:
Maen har galat baat Kay Khilaf awaaz uthata hoon . Mushkil yehi hai ke aap dusron ki galti to maan saktay hain Magar apni nahin .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) February 7, 2018
We wonder what made Akhtar join this debate a year later?
