Man stabbed for supporting Sonu Nigam’s azaan tweet on Facebook in Madhya Pradesh

ABP News image/ Sonu Nigam-File

New Delhi: In a shocking incident a Gopalpura resident of Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh was stabbed by two men after a disagreement on singer Sonu Nigam’s social media rant against the azaan turned violent. The incident happened on Wednesday evening. As per the reports, victim, Shivam Rai, had spoken in favour of Nigam’s stand against the use of loudspeakers for the Muslim call for prayer in a Facebook post. This angered the accused, Mohammad Nagori and Faizan Khan and they attacked him with knives Madhavnagar police station registered a case of attempted murder against the accused under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code. They are yet to be arrested. Sonu Nigam who was recently mired in 'Azaan' row had shaved his head as told by him during the press conference on Wednesday. Sonu's step was in response to the West Bengal Maulavi, Syed Sha Atef Ali Al Quaderi who issued a fatwa against the Bollywood singer, announcing 10 Lakh for anyone who shaves his head and put a garland of shoes around his neck. When asked about the West Bengal Maulavi's statement against him, he said that this is the 'gundagardi' he was talking about. Earlier, the Bollywood singer had challenged the Maulavi by asking him to keep Rs 10 lakhs ready as he will shave his head. "Today at 2pm Aalim will come to my place, and shave my head. Keep your 10 lakhs ready Maulavi," he tweeted. Sonu has also invited press at 2 pm. "And Press is welcome to participate at 2pm," he wrote on micro-blogging site.

Today at 2pm Aalim will come to my place, and shave my head. Keep your 10 lakhs ready Maulavi. https://t.co/5jyCmkt3pm

— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 19, 2017

And Press is welcome to participate at 2pm. — Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 19, 2017

The Maulavi was quoted by DNA as saying: "If anyone can shave his hair, put a garland of old torn shoes around his neck and tour him around the country, I personally announce an award of Rs 10 lakh for that person". During the press conference, Sonu had said that like others, he also has right to opinions. Reaffirming his stance, Sonu had said, "I am against any kind of noise in the name of festivities. Loudspeakers are not religious necessities". "I didn't mean to disrespect anyone, I was talking about a social issue not a religious one," he added. Sonu said, "If some one thinks that I am anti-Muslim, then it is their problem not mine". On April 17, Sonu nigam woke up to tweet something that stirred a controversy across the country. Miffed with loudspeakers used for 'Azaan', singer tweeted, "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". Post this, Twitteratis had a field day, while some were supporting his views, rest slammed it brutally.

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

And by the way Mohammed did not have electricity when he made Islam.. Why do I have to have this cacophony after Edison? — Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 17, 2017

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?

— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 17, 2017

In a series of tweets, he attempted to justify his stance but that was not of much help. For now, security has been beefed up around his residence in Mumbai. Watch the press conference here: