Visa denial: UK mission to speak to Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
High Commission has implied that musician had applied for wrong type of visa.
New Delhi: A day after Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan was shockingly denied a visa by Britain, the UK High Commission on Saturday said it would speak to the renowned musician “about how he should apply for the correct type of visa to do what he wishes to do in the UK”, thereby implying that the maestro had applied for the wrong type of visa.
The Sarod maestro had on Friday tweeted that he was scheduled to perform at the Royal Festival Hall in September and his visa was rejected.
In a statement, the British High Commission Spokesperson said, “We do not comment on the detail of individual cases, but can confirm we will offer to speak to Mr Khan about how he should apply for the correct type of visa to do what he wishes to do in the UK.” The UK Home Office, in London, without giving specific details, said visas are declined due to incomplete information. “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,” a Home Office statement said.
Meanwhile, Indian-origin British lawmaker Keith Vaz has sought an explanation from the UK Home Office over reports of refusal of visa to Sarod maestro, saying the decision would “severely damage” Indo-UK relations.
“I am astonished at this news. Amjad Ali Khan is one of India’s greatest living artists and I cannot believe that his visa has been refused. I have written to the Home Office and asked for an explanation and for a reversal of the decision,” said Vaz, the longest serving Indian-origin MP and Chairman of the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee.
“Relations between the UK and India can be severely damaged by this kind of action. I hope that this sorry state of affairs can be brought to a swift conclusion and I look forward to seeing Khan in the UK,” Vaz said in his statement.
In a series of tweets earlier, the maestro had said on Friday, “Shocked & appalled. #UK visa rejected. scheduled to perform at the Royal Festival Hall in September. My UK visa rejected. Extremely sad for artists who are spreading the message of love & peace.