UK rejects Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s visa; shocked and appalled, says Sarod maestro

Barely hours after Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s two-hour-long detention at the Los Angeles airport comes another report of a brush-off with an Indian celebrity.The United Kingdom, it is learnt, has rejected Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan’s application for visa. He was to perform at the Royal Festival Hall in London next month. The 70-year-old celebrated artist took to Twitter to vent out his displeasure over the

step on UK’s part. In a post, which was tagged to External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and the Indian high commission in London, Khan tweeted, “Shocked & appalled. #UK visa rejected. Scheduled to perform at the #RoyalFestivalHall in Sep…” Khan, who has been a frequent visitor to many countries for decades now, was appalled at the development. “Extremely sad for artists who are spreading the message of love & peace…,” read his second tweet.