Shaan reacts to trolls on his 'Eid Mubarak' post: Are we regressing as a society?

On the occasion of Eid-Ul-Fitar, singer Shaan uploaded a post on his social media account with a picture of him wearing a skull cap and hands raised in prayer. Ever since the post went up, the singer has been brutally trolled, with people questioning why a Hindu man would dress that way on Eid. 

While he initially ignored the trolls, Shaan recently uploaded a video with a fitting reply to the trolls after he was unable to keep quiet any longer.

In a recent Instagram Live, Shaan revealed that the picture was taken during the shoot of his Qawaali song 'Karam Karde'. 

He said, "Since I have gotten a lot of reactions and negative comments with people questioning why I, as a Hindu, would wear a skull cap and offer namaaz, I thought that it's time I share my observation on this. A few days ago, I went to the Golden Temple, where devotees have to cover their heads inside the temple area. When I uploaded a picture from that temple visit, no one questioned why, being a Hindu, I shared a picture from a Sikh temple. When we wear traditional Indian attire and post pictures on festivals like Ram Navami or Diwali, we do so because they are happy occasions. It was that simple."

The versatile singer added that even though he doesn't intend to give any justification to his post through the Live, he wants to take the conversation beyond just a social media post.

"How can my own religious sentiments get hurt by wearing different attire, celebrating the festivals of others, and showing respect to them? I request everyone to change their thoughts on this because India, as a country, is progressive and Indians are respected across the globe for our achievements in the fields of science, IT, and many others. How will we progress if we do not have this much tolerance for each other?" asked the artist, who is known for hit songs such as Musu Musu Hasi, O Re Kaanchi, Tanha Dil, and Chand Sifarish, among many others.

Being a Mumbaikar who was born and brought up in Bandra, Shaan said that he grew up in a predominantly Catholic and Muslim neighbourhood and never felt that there were any religious differences as a child.

"Since childhood, I have had many Muslim friends, and we never had the feeling of being different. What I see these days has made me question whether we are regressing. I am a Hindu Brahmin, and at the same time, I am an Indian. I know how to respect other religions. I am worried about the way people think and react these days. Although I cannot change the thoughts of others, I will not change myself either, because I know that my thoughts are right. The beauty of Indian culture is to celebrate every festival together and live in peace and harmony," he explained.

Shaan also believes that if the democratic India has to grow as a nation, its people should be more inclusive.

"Please do not entertain such polarised thoughts, because it only brings about negativity. Look at any country that is based on religion: it has not moved ahead. We are one of the largest democratic countries in the world; we are the mother of all democratic countries. We should change our thoughts, be more inclusive and work towards creating a beautiful world," the singer signed off.