Life & Style

Pooja Bhatt wakes up to Azaan every day and she kind of likes it

Sonu Nigam has also received backlash from a Congress leader

Entertainment Desk/ians April 18, 2017

PHOTO: FILE

Social media has been ablaze with reactions ever since Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam's tweet criticising the Azaan surfaced on Monday.

While some condemned Sonu's statement as a mere publicity stunt, others supported it whole-heartedly.

However, in a recent turn of events, famous Bollywood actor-turned-producer, Pooja Bhatt has given her two cents on the matter. She posted on Twitter, "I wake each morning to the sound of church bells & the Azaan in a quiet by-lane of Bandra. I light an aggarbatti & salute the spirit of India."

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I wake each morning to the sound of church bells & the Azaan in a quiet by-lane of Bandra.I light an aggarbatti & salute the spirit of India
— Pooja Bhatt (@PoojaB1972) April 18, 2017

Sonu 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?"

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

Nigam explained his stance in a long Twitter post.

"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."

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

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

He tagged Maharastra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis saying, "Dear Fadnavis, please note and help us force police to act against illegal blaring of azaan and other such activities," the singer pleaded.

On the other hand Maharashtra Congress leader Naseem Khan said Nigam's comments were intended at communal polarisation and for cheap publicity.

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"Hey Sonu Nigam, Shift to Ayodhya. I know a place there where there is no mosque," he tweeted.

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."

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

COMMENTS (17)

Shamsul Khondoker | 7 years ago | Reply I think he is very much jealous of our great religion, because 70 thousand people converting to Islam every day and it is also fastest growing religion in the the world.

Naveed | 7 years ago | Reply @vijay ramesh: People like u r very rare, dude. Really love ur realistic analysis. Thumbs up

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Bunny Rabbit | 7 years ago | Reply The Bhatts are half muslims so its fine . Anyway the original problem was not the lyrics or religion, its the loud noise .

ARFAN ASLAM khan | 7 years ago | Reply Sonu Nigam is a BIGGEST hypocrit,Think of all the none hindu and sikhs who have to put up with all their festives they have to put up with like of Holi and Gnash parades,and there are so many other festive goes on and on,Iam sur Muslim people do not complain.Well Mr Sonu have you got any ideas how you are going to mention them as well.

Zealot | 7 years ago | Reply If you would hear AZAAN i hear...YOU WONT REGRET AS A MUSLIM.... I NEVER HEARD SUCH A BEAUTIFUL AZAAN IN MY LIFE....FORGET HINDUS

Indian | 7 years ago | Reply Muslims should be given same religious freedom which they give to non Muslims in their country.

Saeed Masood | 7 years ago | Reply Attention syndrome...

Tyggar | 7 years ago | Reply The supreme court in an order in 2005 has banned any use of loudspeakers between 10 PM and 6 AM. Any azaan on loudspeakers during this period is illegal. @israr he is surely a racist When did Muslims become a race?

Shuaib | 7 years ago | Reply @sachin: I agree that the law should be followed 70 dBs seems reasonable more than that can cause disturbance to people.

kilo | 7 years ago | Reply I can understand predicaments of less fortunate...but Sonu can surely afford soundproofing of his sleeping area. seems he just want to be in news..poor soul

israr | 7 years ago | Reply wow sonu nigham ok fair enough he is surely a racist and thats y we have 2 nation theory "we need a seperate homeland to practice our religion" time for muslims of India to re-start the movement and get a seperate homeland for themselves its not going to be easy ... if sonu nigham a star is so biased and can influence a lot of ppl in india against muslims of india them we are looking at massive killing more and more deaths and more and more riots

abhi | 7 years ago | Reply I think use of loudspeaker for prayers should be stopped. At least there should a no loudspeaker time from 10 in night to 8 in morning.

Anonymous | 7 years ago | Reply agree with sachin.

Nithin | 7 years ago | Reply Whatever he said is right..not only azaan...during Hindhu festivals it is HORRIBLE...Im a Hindu myself.

vijay ramesh | 7 years ago | Reply Sonu Nigam's statements are surprising and unfortunate. At the same time, Pooja's statement is a 'teaser' but in good spirit. Sonu should understand that Azaan is not new to Indians living in cosmopolitan areas and he should shift from the area where he feels his 'privacy' is disturbed. Also if the Loudspeaker is above the prescribed size he should complain to the authorities and not make sweeping comments to hurt a particular community. Likewise, why should non-hindus be subjected to the 'irritating' sound of loud music for 9 days during Navratri and during 'Ganesh' festival? Do they complain of forcing 'Hinduism' on them?

sachin | 7 years ago | Reply The average decibel level which is advisable is about 70 dB. Indian cities have an average of 100-110dB and goes up to 140 dB during festivals. Streets and arterial roads have a very high dB level. If a human is exposed to such high decibel levels from the time he/she goes to school till he/she is old- imagine the impact on the brain and body. Why loudness everywhere- horns, engines, motors, loudspeakers. There should be a ban of loudspeakers in public be it for ny religion or faith. Faith believers imagine a world during the time of great people. Back then there was no loudspeakers so pls follow that in full by not using loudspeakers. Check the sale of hearing devices in the past few decades- it is only increasing. Most people cannot hear feeble sounds anymore. I am always asked by my friends and relative to talk loud over the phone. What is happening- can't people hear normal decibels anymore? For me sound is not a religious issue it is a health issue. Similarly for Light pollution.

Zack | 7 years ago | Reply Why is this news? Why would anyone care?

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