After all hell broke loose when Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan was denied a UK on Friday, the minister of external affairs Sushma Swaraj intervened in the issue.
The Sarod Maestro was denied the visa to UK, where he was to perform in a private function. The matter is expected to be sorted out and cleared at the highest level.
Khan said, “Sushma Swaraj ji has met the high commissioner of the UK.He has assured all the help and support.”
Barely 24 hours after Shah Rukh Khan, Amjad Ali Khan’s surname seems to have been a matter of dispute and distrust in a foreign land.
Read | Amjad Ali Khan did not meet visa requirements, says UK Home Office
But the Ustad would like to give the British government the benefit of the doubt. “The reason for a visa denial could be something else other my being a Khan.The application filed by the organisers of the UK concert could have been inadequately filled.The NRI organiser of the concert is a Sikh Sardar gentleman in London. He runs an organization called Durbar and is well-connected with the Arts Council.This Sardar ji organises a music festival in London every year.”
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan says his visa form is now being corrected and re-submitted. “The Durbar organisation is trying to correct and re-fill the visa application.Khuda jaane sachchai kyaa hai (Only god knows what’s the real matter).But I don’t want my British audiences to suffer on this account.Many other eminent musicians are participating in this festival. I would not like to believe the issue is my being Muslim or because my name is Khan.”
{{/usCountry}}Ustad Amjad Ali Khan says his visa form is now being corrected and re-submitted. “The Durbar organisation is trying to correct and re-fill the visa application.Khuda jaane sachchai kyaa hai (Only god knows what’s the real matter).But I don’t want my British audiences to suffer on this account.Many other eminent musicians are participating in this festival. I would not like to believe the issue is my being Muslim or because my name is Khan.”
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