Now singer Suchitra courts controversy over 'azaan' tweet

Four months after singer Sonu Nigam courted controversy over the 'azaan' issue, actress-singer Suchitra Krishnamoorthi on Monday found herself in a similar situation as she expressed irritation over the Muslim prayer call.

"Came home at 4.45 a.m. to most aggressive/ear shattering call of 'azaan'. Nothing more lowlife and dumb than such extreme imposed religiosity," wrote the 41-year old on Twitter early Sunday morning.

Bollywood director Shekar Kapur's former wife's tweet evoked angry reactions, with the Samajwadi Party condemning her and saying "it has become a fashion to criticise azaan".

State Samajwadi Party President Abu Asim Azmi said: "Those who sing and dance till early hours, drink at 2 a.m. in parties in hotels, and sit with their arms on shoulders of strange men and talk, who have spoilt Indian culture have suddenly started criticising."

Saying that people like Nigam and Krishnamoorthi had no right to criticise 'azaan' or even tolling of temple bells, Azmi advised them to go to bed at 8 p.m. instead and get up early in the morning.

Terming her statement "irresponsible", another SP leader asked whether the prayer call was more important or her sleep.

Nigam had earlier griped over the use of loudspeakers for 'azaan', calling it "forced religiousness".

Following a storm of protests, he had shaved his head in protest after a 'fatwa' (religious edict) and a Rs 10 lakh reward announced by a Muslim leader for his scalp.

A singer, actress, painter, and philanthropist, Krishnamoorthi is remembered for her role opposite Shah Rukh Khan in the 1994 release "Kabhi Haan, Kabhi Naa".

--IANS

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