Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Sonu Nigam has the right to express his views' that was published in Newsband

Sonu Nigam has the right to express his views

Singer Sonu Nigam complained that noisy azaans disrupted his sleep, Nigam’s objection is to loudspeaker use, and to that extent his complaint is valid.

Rules related to noise are routinely violated – whether they be for azaan, kirtans, religious festivals, election campaigns, weddings or even house parties. Forced religiousness may actually be increasing by leaps and bounds in India. Hence one must be grateful to Sonu Nigam for pointing out the elephant in the room.

All third world countries are obsessed with religion. Nobody wants to take any action slightly connected to the religion for being politically correct. Loudspeakers, crackers etc are not part of any religion. Loudspeakers at full volume are a new menace. Government should regulate noise pollution without fearing what pujaris and maulvies say.

Sonu Nigam’s fight is against 'forced religiousness'. The flag bearers of religions have turned religions into monsters. The brazen use of the loudest announcement gadgets at religious places/functions of all religions make one thing clear that perhaps these people who practice religion in such a manner are not aware of the fact that God can hear best and doesn’t need the loud speaker. This kind of anti-social behaviour only makes religions a laughing stock.

People residing near religious places should get provisions to plug their ears and have sound proof system for their bedrooms. Most people in cities like Ujjain (known as city of temples) feel disturbed even by the temple`s bells sound. Here, temple bells start sounding right from early hours say 4 am. 

It is time to question the usage of high pitch loud speakers. If there cannot be a ban on them, the volume and time should be regulated. People like Sonu Nigam must have the right to exercise his point of view. If Sonu Nigam feels loud music in neighbourhood at ungodly hours affects him he should express himself again. Why people are feeling so surprized if someone felt uncomfortable and not able to sleep in his own bed room?

If Sonu Nigam’s songs were played in loud volumes in America, the Americans would protest loudly too since they don’t understand the Hindi language.