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Amjad Ali Khan did not meet visa requirements: UK
LONDON: The UK government’s Home Office on Saturday said sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s visa application was refused because it did not meet the requirements of Britain’s immigration rules.
Khan, who was scheduled to perform during the Darbar festival at the Southbank Centre on September 17 and 18, tweeted on Friday that he was ‘shocked and appalled’ at the refusal.
A Home Office spokesperson told HT, “All visa applications are carefully considered on their individual merits, and applicants must provide evidence to show they meet the requirements of the immigration rules. On this occasion, we were not satisfied that Mr Khan met the requirements of his visa.”
No details were provided but senior Labour MP Keith Vaz, who is also chairman of the influential Home Affairs Committee of parliament, said he was ‘astonished’ at the refusal and had asked the Home Office for an explanation and reversal of the decision.
The Southbank Centre said it was working to resolve the issue to ensure that Khan performs on schedule. According to the programme, he will reflect on his 50-year career during a “candid conversation”, accompanied by his wife Subhalakshmi Barua Khan. On Friday (August 12), veteran sarod player Ustad Amjad Ali Khan was denied a visa to the UK, where he was scheduled to perform at London’s Royal Festive Hall next month. Apparently, being a Khan is not good news for cultural ties between countries, even if it is the surname of one of the most iconic artistes of the Asian subcontinent.
“This is the first time I have been denied a visa by any country. It comes as a rude awakening for me. We, performing artistes, are symbols of peace, harmony and unity. We connect with God through our music. All of us share a common God, and we are from one common race. The community of musicians and artistes is small and closely knit. I hope the world will soon understand and realise the true meaning of an artiste and musician,” says Khan.
He says his family is an example of secularism. “In our family, my wife, Subhalakshmiji, sons, Amaan and Ayaan, and grandchildren, Abeer and Zohaan, feel connected with every religion and soul. We strongly believe in a common God. Only the seven musical notes unite the world. I look forward to more compassion among communities and human beings,” he says.
The Sarod maestro adds he is now eagerly waiting to get his UK visa. “Every country should handle the present global atmosphere of distrust and suspicion with compassion, sensitivity and discretion, especially when it comes to musicians and artistes,” he says.