New Delhi: Noted singer Sonu Nigam who had lashed out at "forced religiousness" in the country after being woken up at his house by the azaan (Islamic call to prayer) from a nearby mosque was slammed for his comments by actor Ajaz Khan.

“Sonu Nigam is my friend. I did not expect this from him. I used to have utmost respect for him but now I got zero admiration,” Khan told ABP News.

Taunting Sonu, Ajaz said that Arijit Singh is singing most of the songs for top actors in the industry as he wakes up early and does ‘riyaaz’.



“In all religions we have been taught the benefits of ‘early to bed and early to rise’,” he said.

Ajaz said that Muslims in “secular India” are the only ones being specifically targeted.

“Muslims have not done anything wrong and they are just tolerating. Even Sikhs block roads near gurudwaras. During Ganpati festival Mumbai gets shut down for 10 days,” he added.

"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," Nigam posted on Twitter on Monday.

 A screenshot of Sonu Nigam's Twitter timeline.

A day before, Khan in a Facebook video, asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and cow vigilantes to ban global motorcycle brand Harley-Davidson in India for selling products made from cow hide.

"I have stalled shooting in Kashmir and come live to share that all these people called ‘Gau Rakshaks' (cow vigilantes) are causing harm and killing people. So many people have been killed and all are staying silent about it," Ajaz said in the over-three-minute video.

"I bought a leather belt from the airport for Rs 8,000 from Harley Davidson showroom. It is made of cow leather and is being sold all over the world. If you really consider yourself men, then I request Modi ji, Yogi ji and ‘Gau Rakshaks' to shut down Harley Davidson," he added.



The former "Bigg Boss" contestant also lashed out at Modi and Adityanath.

"You want to divide citizens of the country on the basis of religion. You want to create riots amongst Hindu and Muslims. You can't do anything. You can just get one man beaten by 20," he said.

"Go and shut down Harley Davidson showrooms. No point beating up poor people. I have also observed the poor state of stray cows on the road. They have injury cuts on their bodies. Please save them first. Don't divide and provoke Hindus and Muslims in the country. If their patience breaks then you will have o face serious consequences," Ajaz added.