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Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Suspects His Visa To UK Got Rejected Because Of His Surname

He has tweeted to Sushma Swaraj.
Padma Vibhushan musician Ustad Amjad Ali Khan plays Sarod as he performs during Inauguration ceremony of Lucknow Mahotsava 2016.
NurPhoto via Getty Images
Padma Vibhushan musician Ustad Amjad Ali Khan plays Sarod as he performs during Inauguration ceremony of Lucknow Mahotsava 2016.

Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan's visa application to the UK was rejected by the British High Commission in Delhi on Friday. '

Shocked and appalled', the music legend immediately took to Twitter to express his disappointment.

The 70-year-old artist tagged Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and the Indian high commission in London, among others.

Khan, who has done extensive UK tours including special performances for The Prince of Wales, is slated to perform at the prestigious Royal Festival Hall, which is located at the heart of Southbank Centre in London.

However, Khan does not feel his rejection was a regular event.

"The moment you are Khan or Ali, these issues come up. I haven't been given a reason for the rejection. There never is. But a lot, I think, has to do with the current situation in the world," he told Indian Express.

My UK visa rejected. Extremely sad for artists who are spreading the message of love & peace @HCI_London@MEAIndia@UKinIndia@SushmaSwaraj

— Amjad Ali Khan (@AAKSarod) August 12, 2016

Khan said he wants 'peace and harmony' and that he feel extremely sad for artists who are treated in this manner.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.