In the middle of controversy on his comments over morning Azaan being played on loudspeakers, singer Sonu Nigam has shaved his head! The deed was done by his friend Hakim Aalim who was specially invited for the purpose. “This is not an agitation, not a challenge, this is to say that a person cutting hair is a muslim guy and I am going ahead with it willingly. Instead of revenge, this is a message of love,” Sonu Nigam told reporters (sic). 

© Facebook

This came in response to a fatwa issued against the singer by a cleric, according to a report by DNA. Syed Sha Ali Al Quaderi, vice president of West Bengal Minority United Council, who called for a press conference, said, “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.”

© Twitter

The maulvi went on to say, “I would have reacted the same way if one had talked ill about the sound of bells coming from a temple as well. If we all become so intolerant about 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.” He accused Sonu Nigam of being ‘anti-national’. 

Sonu Nigam was unfazed though, and came up with a rather ingenious solution to the fatwa. The singer offered to get it done himself and asked the maulvi for the promised money. 

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

He even invited the Press to be a witness!

And Press is welcome to participate at 2pm.

— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 19, 2017

Talking to reporters present, he said how it shouldn’t be seen as a vindictive move. He also said how he should be free to voice his opinion. “This is my opinion, let me offer my opinion,” he said. 

Twitter is already on fire after Sonu Nigam’s sassy move:

Sonu Nigam officially living a Thug Life. pic.twitter.com/9X8bRCyBpn

— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) April 19, 2017

Who’s gonna give the 10 lakh now?

Maulvi: 10 lakhs for shaving Sonu Nigam's head!

Sonu Nigam *shaves his head* : Gimme the money!

Maulvi: NEW PHONE WHO THIS?

— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) April 19, 2017

The gap between reel & real has rarely been so blurred. Life imitating Big Boss. Sonu Nigam shaves his head after cleric's threat. pic.twitter.com/CWyLg4hdtI

— Rahul Kanwal (@rahulkanwal) April 19, 2017

Hell broke loose after Sonu Nigam said he thought the morning Azaan playing at a mosque near his house was a nuisance. Calling it ‘forced religiousness’, the singer tweeted about how he was forced to wake up by the early morning Azaan. 

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

Nigam got a lot of flak for his comment but opinions were divided. While some accused him of targeting one religion, others supported him for talking about a very real problem. After the hullabaloo, Nigam tweeted again to clarify his stand, and mentioned how he was against the use of loudspeakers, be it in mosques, temples or gurudwaras:

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

With his innovative answer to the fatwa issued against him, we wonder what the cleric who issued it has to say.