Nearly a year back a series of tweets by singer Sonu Nigam had thrown media in a frenzy when he wrote about Azaan waking him up early morning despite the fact that he was not a Muslim.
He had then gone on to call the whole thing “gundagardi” and further shared his opinion on “forced religiousness.”
The multiple tweets had led to heated debates on social media with the public being divided on their view of religious tolerance and intolerance.
It now seems this sensitive topic is once again dividing the online community as the topic of loudspeakers being played in mosques has now irked lyricist Javed Akhtar, who has now taken Sonu Nigam’s side and has discouraged the use of loudspeakers in residential areas.
Sharing his opinion on Twitter, Akhtar said that not just mosques but even 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
The tweet once again has started a huge debate, with many accusing Akhtar of spreading religious intolerance,
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
Why only places of worship …? Why not night weddings and political events…. can you please answer
— taher (@kaderjii) February 7, 2018
Who are you to agree or disagree,firstly being an atheist u wont have respect or understanding of a religion.
Secondly,this country is democratic & stands for religious rights.
Thirdly people such as you & sonu nigam are those who want find faults outside,without looking inwards.— Sameer (@QmSameer) February 7, 2018
…while others are agreeing with his point.
kuchh v ho hinduon ko ghasitenge jaroor
din me 5 baar bhopu baja k logon ko subah 2 utha k pareshan karo jab band karne ki baari aaye to i support removing bhopu along with other religious places LMAO.
pehle nikalo to sahi miyan
jis din hata doge us dinse 95 % noise pollution kam— BEGGER CHAI_SAMOSE WALA MURGA
(@desi_murgaa) February 8, 2018
(@desi_murgaa) 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
Im not interested in the Mosque waking me up at 5.30am or the Temple waking me up at 4.30am. God does not need loudspeakers. No religion had loudspeakers as part of its history.
—
(@Lolovivi_) February 7, 2018
(@Lolovivi_) Some even have voiced the opinion to look beyond religious places and ban loudspeakers everywhere.
Yes, why alone mosques but wherever loudness becomes noise.
— sudhir sharma (@sharma_sudhir87) February 7, 2018
We too Support to ban Speakers 4 all religions
But Our list is bigger.
As NGOs & Activist want us to
Play water less Holi
No Jallikattu
No Dahi handi
No Crackers in Diwali
No submersion of idols in Water
No Navratri Dandiya.
Hope you Support us Sir— Sabka Marley
(@MarleyYadaV) February 7, 2018
(@MarleyYadaV)