MUMBAI: Assamese singer Angaraag Mahanta, popularly known as Papon, has come out in support of young singer Nahid Afrin, against whom some Islamic clerics have issued a 'fatwa'.

He says targeting the young singer is unfair.

"'Whoever' is responsible for targeting Nahid Afrin is depriving a generation of trust and warmth and creating a genx tougher and colder! Unfair," Papon tweeted.

Over 40 clerics from Muslim organisations issued the 'fatwa' against the 16-year-old, restricting her from performing on stage, saying that such a performance by a girl on stage was against the "Sharia laws".

The clerics organisation had also distributed some leaflets in and around Udali area near Hojai in central Assam, asking Afrin of "Indian Idol Junior" not to perform in a function scheduled for 25 March.

The 16-year-old singer shot to fame after she made her debut in Bollywood with 2016 Sonakshi Sinha-starrer "Akira".

Reacting to the fatwa, Afrin had also come out and said that she is not afraid and would not stop singing or performing till her death.

(Source: IANS)