Religious tolerance and intolerance is a very sensitive topic in India. Last year, singer, Sonu Nigam was put under the radar for his tweet. And if you don’t remember what I’m talking about, let me give you some context.
In a Twitter thread, Sonu Nigam shared his opinion about “forced religiousness.” He spoke about the fact that he wasn’t a Muslim and yet was woken up by the Azaan in the morning.
He even went on to call the whole thing “gundargardi“.
The fiasco has once again come to light because now lyricist, Javed Akhtar too has tweeted about the same. He took Nigam’s side (better late than never, I guess) discouraging the use of loudspeakers in residential areas.
He shared his opinion on Twitter saying that not only mosques but even any other places of worship shouldn’t use loudspeakers.
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
According to Indian Express, last year the Sonu Nigam row went on for many weeks. It reached the level that a Muslim cleric even announced a reward of Rs. 10 lakh for anyone who will tonsure the singer.
Many people from the entertainment industry too commented on the incident including Wajid Khan.
Many on Twitter started accusing Akhtar of spreading religious intolerance. But he replied that he raises his voice against anything wrong.
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
However, the tweets left Indian Twitter arguing both sides of the coin. Some are showing their dissent while others are agreeing with his point.
1. This user feels that loudspeakers will do nothing for those who don’t want to attend.
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 (@taslimshaikh) February 7, 2018
2. Another Twitter user had this opinion.
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
— Truth Will Prevail (@SalmansSoldier) February 8, 2018
3. However, some agreed with Akhtar.
100% with you. Noice pollution is also pollution. There is nothing religious about it,
— rajeev k parashar (@parasharrks) February 7, 2018
4. This was another man’s viewpoint.
Loudspeakers should be banned from all religious places
— Abhishek (@abhishek2526) February 7, 2018
5. Some wanted to ban speakers everywhere and not only at religious places.
Why only places of worship …? Why not night weddings and political events…. can you please answer
— Kaderji (@kaderjii) February 7, 2018
6. Others said, “God does not need loudspeakers.”
https://twitter.com/Lolovivi_/status/961263168902152192
7. Ban noise pollution.
Yes, why alone mosques but wherever loudness becomes noise.
— sudhir sharma (@sharma_sudhir87) February 7, 2018
8. Noise should not be tolerated anywhere.
Totally agree. Additionally dj parties in open, which is prevalent for weddings must be banned. It's inhuman to generate so much sound pollution. Add loud auto horns too
— Anupam Trivedi (@trivedianupam) February 8, 2018
What do you think of this ongoing debate? Were Sonu Nigam and Javed Akhtar right from where they were coming from? Tell us in the comments below.