Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan's visa application to the United Kingdom was on Friday rejected by the British High Commission in Delhi, hours after Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was detained at the Los Angeles Airport by US immigration department.
Amjad Ali Khan had applied for a visa to perform at the Royal Festival Hall in September in London.
"Shocked & appalled. #UK visa rejected. Scheduled to perform at the #RoyalFestivalHall in Sep @HCI_London @MEAIndia @SushmaSwaraj @UKinIndia. My UK visa rejected. Extremely sad for artists who are spreading the message of love & peace @HCI_London @MEAIndia @UKinIndia @SushmaSwaraj," said Khan in a series of tweets.
The sarod maestro further said, "Performing almost every year in #UK since the early 70s. Upset to have my visa rejected @HCI_London @MEAIndia @UKinIndia @SushmaSwaraj."
As per reports, he was scheduled to take part in a reflection of his decades-long career as one of the icons of the sarod on September 17.
The next day, he was scheduled to be part of a double-bill concert, sharing the bill with Hindustani classical vocalist Shubha Mudgal.