Life & Style

Sonu Nigam’s rant about being forced to wake up to Azaan angers fans

The backlash on twitter forced him to justify the statement

Entertainment Desk April 17, 2017

PHOTO: FILE

In a series of tweets, veteran Bollywood singer, Sonu Nigam expressed his displeasure on being 'forced' to wake up because of the Azaan every morning.

He 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."

https://twitter.com/sonunigam/status/853758848133242880

This did not go down too well with Twitterati and backfired for the Kal Ho Naa Ho crooner.

One user wrote: I am a fan of yours but this was definitely a bullshit statement. You gotta respect other religions beliefs. It's a democratic country.

https://twitter.com/macchandna/status/853765697968762881

Another one questioned about the Hindu religious practices in the country. She wrote: "Am a Hindu but isn't same "inconvinience" faced by Non Hindus too when we blare loudspeakers for Navratri n Ganesh processions?"

Am a Hindu but isn't same "inconvinience" faced by Non Hindus too when we blare loudspeakers for Navratri n Ganesh processions?
— Maya (@IamMayaSharma) April 17, 2017

Another user was rather witty about his protest. "So true.Only cows should be made to moo in morning on loudspeaker in jugalbadi with Sonu to remind u not to eat beef."

So true.Only cows should be made to moo in morning on loudspeaker in jugalbadi with Sonu to remind u not to eat beef https://t.co/WuulAAn8BR
— #DestroyTheAadhaar #BanDigitalElections #DefeatCIA (@Stupidosaur) April 17, 2017

Someone even made an observation about Mandir’s not being subtle about their message either: "We accept the sounds of Mandir ki ghantis & bhajans playing on full blast because all have a right to practice their religion how they want."

We accept the sounds of Mandir ki ghantis & bhajans playing on full blast because all have a right to practice their religion how they want
— =) (@smiles61446) April 17, 2017

Talking about India being a strong secular state, one user wrote: "India is a secular country, u cant say such things. So many Muslims out there... should they not be called to prayer, cuz you get disturbed?"

https://twitter.com/saaniisweet/status/853770008027176960

Sir i am a fan of yours but you should have known that India is a secular country with many religions ,so topic of religion we should avoid
— Dilwar🇮🇳 (@DIL__war) April 17, 2017

Soon after the backlash, Sonu responded strongly. He went on to write:

https://twitter.com/sonunigam/status/853761583666806784

https://twitter.com/sonunigam/status/853764889671720960

One user aptly summed up the whole matter: "Twitter is no forum to raise such sensitive issues. It appear Sonu Nigam is looking for publicity rather than solution."

Twitter is no forum to raise such sensitive issues. It appear Sonu Nigam is looking for publicity rather than solution.
— AKHIL BHARTIYA VAISHYA JAGRAN MANCH (@ABVJM_TS) April 17, 2017

Have something to add in the story? Share it in the comments below.

COMMENTS (47)

kdp | 7 years ago | Reply what were they doing before infidels invented loud speakers?

Raisani | 7 years ago | Reply @Madhuri: So tomorrow he'll say the planes don't fly because these make huge noise for the nearby locality on ground.

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rana | 7 years ago | Reply Definitely it sounds like forced religiousness. Other wise we wouldn't have seen violence to impose the faith upon others with in the same religion.

I am a Khan | 7 years ago | Reply flop singer looking for some attention...perhaps if he drank less, he would have less hangovers and a better sleep...

ghulam murtaza | 7 years ago | Reply It's highly impossible that the Azaan causes him to wake up early in the morning. Firstly, it's beyond imagination that he is living in an apartment right adjacent to any masjid or in a Muslim dominated locality. He must prove that he resides so adjacent. Even if he resides, there's no chance of any voice as described in the next Para. Secondly, far aside celebrities, even average middle class mumbaikers use ACs in their bed rooms due to Mumbai's humid and highly polluted atmosphere. So, there's no chance for any noise to penetrate in to the air tight windows, far aside causing him wake up. He should also prove that he doesn't use any AC, and keeps bed room windows open while sleeping. Thirdly, instead of spewing venom in the media, had he consulted the committee of that masjid to solve his imaginary problem, they would've definitely changed the loudspeaker direction or reduced the volume. Fourthly, the entire Azaan comprises of just 7 very short lines in the early morning prayer and 6 lines in the rest of the four prayers, which takes hardly 1 to 1.5 minutes to recite. It's not meant for waking up anybody from sleep, but to call for congregational prayers, just like ringing bells in other faiths. And lastly, is it only 2 minute Azaan which causes him to wakeup early in the morning and nothing else? Other loud voices and recorded songs which start from 3 AM until sunrise or the whole day from temples or gurudwaras cause no disturbance at all?

Irfan | 7 years ago | Reply these "fans" should take a long, hard look at themselves in the mirror before condemning others

myra | 7 years ago | Reply Jab tum apne zor zor se concert karte ho toh tabh nahe huta noise pollution!! Singers kiya low volume mein songs gate hain

Satwin Bara | 7 years ago | Reply This practice is now banned in the UK.

abhi | 7 years ago | Reply Sonu Nigam is right. The use of lodspeaker in night hours should be banned.

Muz | 7 years ago | Reply This is a nice way to tell everyone that I exist, I hope you get some work now.

FAZ | 7 years ago | Reply @Madhuri: Well. I envey Sonu. We have mosques almost at every corner here in Pakistan. Not only the turn out is the least in morning prayer, but people miss offering them at home too. I need a alarm bell to wake me up. Sleep disorder is common with out of business super stars like him. Now that modi gee has banned Pakistanis from every walk of life, he should get a better sleep.

mohammad khan | 7 years ago | Reply Sonuji Why don't you make your windows and doors sound proof you are wealthy man you can afford it.

Saddie | 7 years ago | Reply India needs to do something about the horns! The honking doesn't let me sleep be it day or night!

Sh | 7 years ago | Reply @Madhuri: We don't have bhajans going on but we do have the azaan at dawn. Several people around the world routinely have dinner by 6 and sleep by 8 to wake up at dawn to maintain a healthy lifestyle or because of work. Just an example, having lived in Cyprus, the city life closed by 6pm so people were encouraged to sleep early. There was no azaan but people woke up at dawn anyway. It is on you of course if you want to adopt such a lifestyle. If the whole neighbourhood is really disturbed, perhaps collectively negotiating with the imam about lowering the volume of the speaker might work instead of ranting on Twitter.

Usman | 7 years ago | Reply @Madhuri: Can't he afford earplugs?

Shahid | 7 years ago | Reply Whoever started this practice after the invention of loudspeaker made a mistake.Azan is not supposed to be on speaker . An overzealous misuse of loudspeakers.

Virkaul | 7 years ago | Reply Why would blaring loudspeakers disturb others ever day at odd hours? This is not only for azaans but jagrans and paths from Gurudwara too.

Xof | 7 years ago | Reply Too much money and fame have made you weak and a coward inside. Patience is the key to a peaceful life not complain to get a perfect one.

Hidden formula | 7 years ago | Reply Why don't you ask the gov to ban the use of loud speaker like in the west and US? - to all those who are complaining about the use of loud speaker for azan.

Mian | 7 years ago | Reply No. Not unfair. Unlike Sonu, I've said 'bless them.' See the difference?@Irfy:

Indus | 7 years ago | Reply i concur with Sonu's statement. I am sure many have same concerns but have not expressed it. It is quite disturbing at 4 or 5 am with the broadcast on speakers irrespective of religion.

Xian | 7 years ago | Reply @Mian: They wake you up at 4 in the morning, everyday?

Kulbhushan Yadav | 7 years ago | Reply It's a shame that in today's age of alarm clocks and mobile phones, the Muslims still need a loudspeaker from Mosque to remind them of prayer.

Kulbhushan Yadav | 7 years ago | Reply @Anon: Nope.I think the loudspeaker should be taken away.

Tyggar | 7 years ago | Reply @Billa: He should change his locality. He should move to Hindu areas. He lives in a "Hindu" area. Going by your logic, the Mosque must be shifted to a "Muslim" area

Pg56 | 7 years ago | Reply @Rana afaq: Respecting religion means azaan in microphone at 4:00 am? Try doing that in IS, Canada, UKor Germany?

kdp | 7 years ago | Reply @Madhuri: I agree cacophony of Hindu festival is a recent phenomenon that non Hinds may have to tolerate few days of year vs 360 days of call for Namaz

Irfan_M | 7 years ago | Reply @Luqman Hafeez: That is truly the best advice.

Irfy | 7 years ago | Reply @Mian: Yoju wrote " my next door neighbours are Hindu and bless them, they wake me up with these sounds." Well, now you have complained like Sonu Nigam on social media. Only difference is , nobody cares that you are uncomfortable because of your neighbors, while his complain has gone every corner of the world. so unfair isn't it ?

Luqman Hafeez | 7 years ago | Reply Mr Nigam is a wealthy individual, how about soundproofing your bedroom? Won't cost a fonture anyway. Simple and easy and you will "live happily ever after" :)

Billa | 7 years ago | Reply He should change his locality. He should move to Hindu areas. Easy peasy.@Madhuri:

Mian | 7 years ago | Reply He didn't say anything about bells and sounding of shells like I am despite living in the West. Yes, my next door neighbours are Hindu and bless them, they wake me up with these sounds.

Bunny Rabbit | 7 years ago | Reply Hes not against any religion but the loud noise . please stop tweeking his tweets .

Rohit | 7 years ago | Reply It's about the loudspeakers, not about azaan. I think its correct, Loud speakers should be banned.

doesnt matter | 7 years ago | Reply there is no issue with azaan but why do it on loudspeakers and disturb everyone?

Madhuri | 7 years ago | Reply @Sh I don't know of anyone who routinely gets up at 4 a.m. every morning. I wouldn't term being woken up at 4 a.m. "bad sleeping routine." Some people fall asleep without waking up and some don't get continuous sleep anyways. In any case, even if he slept continuously, he may be getting 4-5 hours of sleep, which is not enough for most people. I don't think you have bhajans going on at 4 a.m. on a daily basis in Pakistan. You have no idea how loud the loudspeakers are and how much it disrupts people. Why have loudspeakers? I don't think anyone would be having a problem if it was not on full volume.

Rana afaq | 7 years ago | Reply I dont wanna go in debate on any religion ..Alhamdolilahi am muslim there is a sugguestion for Mr Sonu nigam . .put ear plugs. We should respect all religions .stay blessed

Irfy | 7 years ago | Reply @Sh: Yes, that's her point

Anon | 7 years ago | Reply @Madhuri: Cant he switch houses to an area where he is not woken up?

sachin | 7 years ago | Reply I m against all forms of loud noise. Honking being no. 1 which causes trouble. Also ban loudspeakers for all religious festivals - all religious festivas. These days most people cannot hear well. I am always asked to speak loud over the phone. I felt that i was speaking in an audible way. Look at the generation - most young have ear plugs listening to i pod and iphones and phones. Take a look at the sales of hearing aid. A generation is coming up which needs spectacles and hearing aid. I do not see this from relgious angle. Its just those who like less sound ad others who like it loud.

rich | 7 years ago | Reply azan shoud be banned, brodcasting on speakers, bec it disturbs everyone everything should be between 8 am to 10 pm before and after the should be low noise, that include churches, temples, mosque , gurudwara ect everyone can pray as much as they like without disturbing others

Sh | 7 years ago | Reply @Madhuri: So... the azaan should be stopped altogether because Mr. Nigam has a bad sleeping routine?

Singh | 7 years ago | Reply Freedom of expression, yupp. Likes and dislikes. Agree or disagree.

LOL | 7 years ago | Reply Thanks Jinnah for giving us Pakistan. Sonu Nigam also strongly believe in Two Nation Theory just like new CM of Uttar Pradesh.

Aftab Wilson | 7 years ago | Reply People who have problems in their areas from sounds of speakers or ghantiyan must put cottons in their ears & chill. People in sobcontinent are sensitive on religeous matters & easily get carried away. They can even slaughter each others with no remorse ....

Madhuri | 7 years ago | Reply It's unfortunate that Sonu's statement is being blown out of proportion. He's expressing his angst at being woken up at 4 a.m. every day consistently over years and he's said in interviews before that he goes to bed most times around 11-12 midnight, so getting 4 hours of sleep obviously has gotten to him. Those raising the equivalence with Hindu bhajans, I don't know of a Hindu bhajan going on at 4 a.m. in the morning every day 365 days of the year. Those equating Sonu to being a bigot or not tolerant are just blowing this beyond what actually it is.

Shahnawaz | 7 years ago | Reply Sono. You are too preparing achieving award from present govt. You re popular due to copying m. Rafi.

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