Sonu Nigam shaves head, says concern a ‘social topic, not a religious issue’

Popular Indian singer Sonu Nigam addressed fans and haters on Wednesday in a press conference pertaining to his Twitter rant about the Azaan (call to prayers) on Monday.

"My intention was not to insult the Prophet. On Twitter, you cannot always mention everything. It is also the fault of English. In Hindi, it isn't insulting to say Shiva or Krishna," the artist stated, according to Hindustan Times.

 

Sonu Nigam seen sporting a shaved head after the press conference. (Image courtesy: Hindustan Times via ANI)

 

Sonu Nigam then proceeded to get tonsured on live television.

Explaining further how his intentions were misunderstood, Sonu Nigam said his issue should not have been categorised as "right-wing or left-wing. I was talking on a social topic, not a religious issue. I apologise if someone thought otherwise".

An Indian Muslim cleric on Tuesday issued a 'fatwa' against the musician, adding a Rs. 1-million reward for "anyone [who] can shave his hair, put a garland of old torn shoes around his neck and tour him around the country."

Syed Sha Atef Ali Al Quaderi, the West Bengal United Minority Council's vice-president, commented, "If we all become so intolerant of each other's religions, we will soon have a bunch of atheists in our country. People like Nigam should be driven out of the country."

 

So this is not religious Gundagardi.. https://t.co/5jyCmkt3pm

— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 19, 2017

 

To this, Nigam had responded by saying that he would get his head shaved by a Muslim, and to "keep your 10 lakhs ready Maulavi".

However, he did go on to wonder if it was "not religious Gundagardi".

 

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

 

Towards the end of his talk, Sonu Nigam said, "I am a secular person. It was not about Azaan, it was about the loud sound. Playing loud sound on a speaker is gundagardi for me."

"What is happening to the country? Anyone can lynch anyone or anyone can issue a fatwa. I'm not talking about any single religion," he concluded.