Azaan an integral part of Islam, not loudspeakers: Punjab & Haryana HC

Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam addressing a press conference at his residence, in Mumbai, India on April 19, 2017. (Pravin Utturkar/SOLARIS IMAGES)

New Delhi: The Punjab and Haryana high court has observed that even though Azaan is an integral part of Islam, it does not necessarily have to be blared through loudspeakers. The court made this observation over a plea filed against singer Sonu Nigam. According to a Hindustan Times report, Justice MMS Bedi termed the petition filed by filed by Aas Mohammad, a resident of Sonepat in Haryana as a “cheap” attempt to gain publicity. “A fair interpretation of the words used by respondent no 4 (Nigam) clearly indicates that the word ‘gundagardi’ in tweet no 4 is not addressed in the context of Azaan but the use of loudspeakers and amplifiers.” Justice MMS Bedi also condemned the criticism Sonu Nigam had been facing for speaking out on social media. He said that the petition was just a malicious attempt to use Sonu Nigam as a ‘scapegoat’ to gain publicity. The singer had described as "hooliganism" the use of loudspeakers for sermons and calls to prayers by mosques, temples and gurdwaras.

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

— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 16, 2017

When I am talking about Loudspeakers, I did mention Temples and Gurudwaras too. Is it that hard to comprehend? Loosen up guys. — Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 18, 2017

"Gundagardi hai bus (it is hooliganism)," Nigam said on Twitter. The 43-year-old singer said he didn't believe that religious places should wake up people with sermons and prayers on loudspeakers and demanded an end to "forced religiousness". He shaved his head to go completely bald to protest against a West Bengal cleric who had announced a Rs 10 lakh fatwa. The cleric Syed Sha Atef Ali Al Quaderi said he Sonu did not comply to the other conditions which were “wearig a  garland of old shoes” and “apologizing to every Muslim family in the nation.” Sonu after a couple of days againo posted a video clip in which the Azaan could be heard in the background.

Goodmorning India pic.twitter.com/gG8lqPZTSQ

— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 23, 2017

Nigam captioned the video as, "Good morning, India". He, however, did not mention the time or place.